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I 




Spalding’s athletic library 


LACROSSE 

FROM CANDIDATE TO TEAM 


BY 


WILLIAM C. SCHMEISSER 

n 

Captain Johns Hopkins University Champion Inter- 
Collesjiate Lr.orosse Team, i9G2 


, (EDITED BY • 


RONALD T. ABERCROMBIE 

Ex-Captain and Honorary Coach of Johns Hopkins 
University Lacrosse Team, 1900-1904 



NEW YORK 

American Sports Publishing Company 
i6-i8 Park Place 








LIBRARY ofCONcSflT 
Two Copies Received 

APR n 1904 

Oopyrlffht Entry 

/ 1 ~ H o ■ 4* 

CLASS & XXe. No. 

fr M* 0 l^vT 

COPY B 


Copyright 1904 

American Sports Punishing Co 
New York 





EDITOR’S PREFACE 


In presenting a volume on Lacrosse, both author and editor 
realize the necessary inadequacy of any attempt to reproduce the 
actual conditions of the game by any printed word. But as the 
details and directions presented are all those which have been 
found sound and useful on the field, the editor feels that a 
really interested reader will find much that will be of service 
in actual play. 

The volume is the outcome of years of practical experience 
with Lacrosse on the part of the author, and the system of play 
here described is that which has stood the test of several years’ 
play at the Johns Hopkins University. 

The illustrations are for the most part reproductions from 
photographs of actual games, and we are indebted for them to 
Mr. William Fisher of Baltimore. 

The editor hopes that the perusal of the work will be as pleas¬ 
ant and profitable to the general reader as it has been to him, 
and that the volume will find a useful place in the literature of 
the game. 


Ronald T. Abercrombie. 


PREFACE 


Lacrosse is steadily increasing in popularity in the American 
colleges; but literature which is of value in assisting a player to 
learn the science of the game, is something of which we have 
been in need. Since no one else has come to our assistance, the 
writer will now put before you a little pamphlet in which he 
has taken up Lacrosse from the time a beginner first grasps a 
stick until he is expert enough in the game to command a 
position on a team. As far as possible the treatment of the 
subject is systematic; the object of the writer being to present 
as much of the game as he has learned from experience will 
turn out a good player in the shortest possible time. This book 
is for the beginner, to it he can turn to supplement the advice of 
his coach and possibly pick up some points which have not been 
presented to him before. He must not be satisfied with one 
reading; but read again and again; because, as his knowledge 
of the game grows the finer details of Lacrosse will become 
more apparent to him. 

I also ask the experienced player, from time to time, to take a 
look into this little book, there may be some point in it which 
he can add to his “stock in trade.” The writer knows that there 
will be some who will not concur with him in advice here given; 
but some advice is better than none. So take this booklet, and 
derive what benefit you can from it. 

The author here takes the opportunity to thank Doctor Will¬ 
iam H. Maddren and Mr. Ronald T. Abercrombie for the atten¬ 
tion and care with which they have studied this work, and for 
valuable suggestions they have made. 

William C. Schmeissfr. 


CONTENTS 


HANDLING A LACROSSE STICK. 

How to Pick up the Ball—Keep Your Eye on the Ball— 
Keep in Motion—The Proper Pass—Team Play. 9 

PLAYS NECESSARY FOR ALL POSITIONS. 

Tag—Do not Bunch—How to Check a Stick—Help Your 
Man to Get the Ball—Use Your Feet—Start Quickly... 18 

THE GAME. 

The Line-Up—How to Conduct the Practice—The Face-Off 
—The System of Attack-Play—Give a Man the Ball He 
Wants—The Attack’s Last Chance—Attack-Play Around 
Goal—How to Shoot Goals—Dodging. 29 

THE DEFENCE SYSTEM. 

The Defence Must Not Bunch—How to Stop a Dodger— 
How to Check the Stick of an Attack—A Body-Check 
—Where to “Lay” for the Ball — The Long Throw.... 47 

THE PLAYER AND HIS POSITION. 

In-Home—Out-Home—First Attack—Second Attack—Centre 
and Third Attack—Third Defence—Second Defence— 
First Defence—Cover-Point—Point—Goal. 63 

CONCLUSION, 

The Team. S6 







POSITION OF THE BALL IN STICK-Notice the hands 
handle, they should be well separated. 


on 




How to Play Lacrosse . 


9 


HANDLING A LACROSSE STICK 

To begin with, it is necessary for a new man to become fairly 
proficient in the use of his stick before it is of any practical 
value to teach him how to play the game. 

For a beginner, it is better to provide himself with a stick 
which has been used by an experienced player. A second-hand 
stick, if still sound in net and frame, has the advantage of being 
thoroughly broken in, and hence the ball, when placed in it, nat¬ 
urally rolls into the proper position for a throw. The beginner 
should remember when learning to handle his stick, always to 
keep the ball about a foot from the broad end of the stick. It 
makes no difference whether he is catching or throwing the ball, 
the place for it is about a foot from the end of the stick and well 
up against the frame. If caught in any other part of the net, 
it should be immediately shifted to the right position for a 
throw. Of course there are times when the ball is thrown from 
any position lower in the net; but this varies more or less with 
the length of the throw. To begin with, it will suffice to prac¬ 
tice the short throw, or “tip” as it is called. 

In learning to throw, it makes little difference whether you 
throw from the left or the right side. Adopt the side which 
feels the best to you and stick to it. To teach a man how to 
let a ball pass out of his stick, in the proper manner, Jg by no 
means an easy thing. Practice is the best teacher. Take your 
ball and stick and try up against a wall or solid board fence. 
This may seem a little tiresome at first; but it is the best and 
fastest way of learning how to handle your stick. The main 
thing is to keep at it, and it will come to you all at once. 

After a man has learned to master his stick a little, by prac¬ 
tice against the wall, a few suggestions are of value. Nearly all 
new men first throw with the lower part of their arms entirely. 
Grasp your stick with the right hand on the butt (I shall use 
the left side throw in my illustration), while the left should 



PICKING UP THE BALL WHILE IN MOTION—Notice the 
stoop and scoop, as well as the position of hands at side of the body to 
prevent a possible jab into the abdomen. 









II 


Ilow to Play Lacrosse. 

\ 

be placed well up where the netting is joined with the frame. 
This hold will give you more control over your stick, when you 
are playing the game, than if you placed them closer together 
nearer the butt, or middle of the handle of the stick. 

In throwing do not double yourself up in a knot, and push 
the ball from you as if you were putting the shot. Let your 
arms have a free movement. Draw your stick well over your 
left shoulder, turning your body to accompany this movement, 
then bring the stick forward, not exactly, but nearly perpen¬ 
dicular, and let the ball pass out of the corner of the stick ad¬ 
jacent to the high side of the frame. As the ball leaves the 
stick, the thrower should give the stick a slight jerk backward. 
This little jerk does the trick, it accelerates the speed of the 
ball, and makes it go more accurately. Practice alone will 
teach a man this trick. The only suggestion that can be given 
here is that just as the ball leaves the net, draw the butt of the 
• stick slightly in toward your body. 

Remember that in throwing the ball, the body must accom¬ 
pany the stick, and that the use of the proper muscles will tire 
the back during the first day’s practice. The swifter you wish 
to throw, the more the muscles of your back and shoulder must 
come into play, and in any case, you should take a step forward 
with the leg on .the opposite side from which you throw. 

HOW TO PICK UP THE BALL. 

In lacrosse, the ball is on the ground as much as it is in the 
air; so the next thing to learn is how to get it from the ground 
into your stick as surely and quickly as possible. Place the ball 
on the ground about fifteen yards from you, and, holding the 
stick with two hands, especially a beginner, approach the ball 
at a slow jog, and just as you are near enough to get the ball 
under full control, bend over naturally, also slightly bending in 
the knees, while you scoop up the ball. Of course, with the 
new man, the ball will often run over the other end of the stick... 
As before said, this should not be; when the ball enters the 
stick, there is but one place for it, and that is, the position from 
which it can leave your stick in a fraction of a second. 


12 


How to Play Lacrosse , 


In picking up, do not reach out too soon after the ball. If 
you do, it will keep on running ahead of you or bound out of 
your stick. A quick bend, a scoop, a cradling motion, which 
does much to keep the ball in the stick and at the same time 
prevents it from being jerked out when a sudden move is made, 
and the player should be ready for a pass. A very important 
thing to be remembered is, that when you bend over to pick 
up the ball, be sure that the butt of your stick is in such a 
position, that should the stick strike some unevenness in the 
field, or some other man’s stick, you will not run it into your 
abdomen. One experience will be sufficient, moreover it may 
cost you a new stick. 

I said, “approach the ball at a slow jog.” This phrase* is 
for the beginner, as the candidate will soon find out that most 
of the time it will be necessary to approach the ball as hard as 
you can go; and yet, if a good player, you will have enough 
extra wind left to increase your speed just as you are about to 
pick up the ball. Unless you are hard pressed, approach the 
ball at a moderate pace, until within ten feet then increase your 
speed suddenly and scoop it up. This reserve force surprises 
and takes the nerve of your opponent, and gives you a better 
chance to get around him. Above all, never circle toward the 
ball. Go straight at it. Now if the ball is coming toward you 
as you approach it, the stick must te placed nearly perpendicu¬ 
larly to stop it, and at the same time to cause it to keep its po¬ 
sition in the stick. 

It takes a man with at least a season behind him to appre¬ 
ciate that there is no such thing as too much stickwork, and 
practice of picking up the ball; either coming toward, from the 
side or rolling away from him. So practice these elementary 
factors of lacrosse, whenever you get a chance. 


KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL. 

So far the writer has devoted himself to the elementary prac¬ 
tice of the individual man. From now on we shall turn, to a 
squad of new men. 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


13 


The first thing to do is to practice passing between several 
men. Right from the beginning try to find out where a man can 
best catch the ball; and then give it to him where he wants it. 

In this practice it is desirable not to have more than six men 
in a squad together, or they will not get the ball often enough. 
Moreover, they should not stand very far apart, otherwise too 
much time is wasted watching the ball in its flight through 
the air. The short, snappy pass is the one of up-to-date lacrosse 
and should be learned first, the long pass will be taken up later. 

When half a dozen new men are told to practice “passing the 
ball,” they will nearly always let the ball go from man to man 
in turn. This is a great mistake, it becomes monotonous, and 
above all a beginner learns by practice that it takes a certain 
number of seconds before the ball gets back to him; hence 
his attention is relaxed during the interval—a vital mistake, 
because in lacrosse a man must never take his eye from the ball. 
Lacrosse, less than any game, can afford to find a man napping. 
So in practice do not always pass from man to man in rotation; 
try to catch a man off his guard. When you see a man has his 
eye off the ball, put it at him, and if he is not ready for you this 
time, he will be so in the future. Thus it becomes evident that 
new men should be mixed in with the experienced players, for 
they will learn more quickly; and it takes more alertness on 
their part to be ready for the quick passes the old men make. 
Do not let the old men get off by themselves. 

KEEP IN MOTION. 

When you catch a ball, never stand still; always be in motion 
toward the ball. This is, in my opinion, one of the, if not the 
most, essential things necessary to make a man a good player. 
You do not have time to stop and catch the ball, because some¬ 
body is after you. I lay particular stress on the word toward, 
first, because if you stand still and wait for the ball, yoqr op¬ 
ponent can come up and spoil your play; secondly, if you take 
a step or two backward, which is the case with most beginners, 
your opponent will intercept the ball before it reaches you. 
Hence always remember, when you are practicing your passing, 



TIPPING THE BALL—See the ball well up in end of stick and the 
advantage gained for grace and leverage by position of hands. Body 
straight. 





How to Play Lacrosse . 


15 


to step toward the ball (stepping away comes naturally), and 
before long, like your stickwork, this feature of your playing 
should become instinctive. 

THE PROPER PASS. 

In connection with this it is well to call attention to the fact 
that one man should pass nearly on a straight line to another. 
Pass straight and hard; of course the speed depends on the dis¬ 
tance which separates the players. 

The advantage of the straight line pass is that (Fig. 1 ) when 
A throws to B by the curved line there is but one place where B 
can catch the ball, and that is at B; because all along the curved 
line A C B the ball is out of his reach. Thus when the ball 
starts from A, B’s opponent D will run to the point B, and 
wait until the ball gets there, hoping to spoil B’s catch. On the 
other hand now, if the ball travels the straight line A B, B can 
catch it at any point along this line; hence if he sees that his 
opponent D can spoil the play at B, he can run toward the ball 
and catch it, in safety, at some point nearer to A. Also accord¬ 
ing to the angle at which D is approaching B, it may be neces¬ 
sary for B to withdraw from A. This would be an impossibility 
if the ball took the course A C B ; because he would have to wait 
for the ball at B, only to find D ready for him when the ball 
reaches there. But if the ball travels A B it will have sufficient 
speed to carry to B, although the latter may be moving at a 
fair speed away from A. These few points show conclusively 
the elementary advantage of the straight hard pass; others will 
be pointed out as we proceed. 

TEAM PLAY. 

The next stage for the learner is when he meets an opponent. 
In the preceding pages the writer has been trying to show him 
the use of his tools; now he and his fellow player must learn 
to play together to outwit a third player. Here we come to 
the point where team play begins. No game that I know of 
needs this drilled more into a beginner. Team work is the key¬ 
note of lacrosse. It is true that the attack shoots all the goals. 





I low to Play Lacrosse. 


17 


and hence these men, to the casual observer, will seem to be the 
stars. But who is it that made the placing of the ball in the net 
possible ? 

In short, the days of one or two stars on a team are over. 
We must have twelve men who work together like clockwork, 
who have perfect faith in each other’s ability, and who will let 
the man, who may happen to be in the best position, make the 
play which will bring the applause from the stands. If there is 
a new man in the squad, put the ball to him as often as pos¬ 
sible, he will learn faster, and give everybody faith in his ability 
to further team play. If you never put the ball to him, you 
will find that your best man will not only lack the assistance of 
the new player, but will soon be covered by. two opponents. 
Twelve individual players may be good, but give me a team 
without stars, provided they play as a unit. 

The first thing to be settled here is the fact that in order to 
have a team of players, it is necessary to do away with all cere¬ 
monies of etiquette. The new men should not hesitate to call 
the other players by their first name, or nickname, or any frac¬ 
tion of a name which may have been adopted by the old players 
to attract each other’s* attention. Listen and adopt the name 
which practice has shown to be most practical. In lacrosse the 
men must be continually calling to each other so as to show 
their fellow players where they are, or to which place they have 
shifted their position. A player must be able to give full at¬ 
tention to his direct opponent, and at the same time know where 
to put the ball without seeing his fellow player. The calls or 
names adopted will be found to be short and explosive, in fact, 
any sound which can be uttered quickly, easily, and at the same 
time will carry well. 

This familiarity between beginner and old player should, 
however, not lead to lack of discipline. This is an absolute neces¬ 
sity in all sports. Do not argue with your captain while on the 
field; “his word is law.” If you disagree with him on some point 
he will be glad to take any suggestions at some other time when 
arguments on both sides will determine the correct point of view. 


i8 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


PLAYS NECESSARY FOR ALL 
POSITIONS 

It makes no difference what position a man may fill, there are 
certain plays in lacrosse which it is necessary for every player 
to know. Thus we must take up lacrosse in general /before we 
begin to specialize on the different positions. This can be done in 
no better way than to get your squad of men together and let 
them play “tag.’’ 

TAG. 

This means divide your men into two sides, pairing them off 
against each other, and also at the same time make bounds 
within which the practice is to go on. Do not use any goal 
posts. The object of “tag” is for the two sides to keep the 
ball away from each other. Just for a name, we shall call one 
side A, and the other B. 

When side A has the ball, it tries to keep it amongst its own 
players, while B tries to get the ball into its possession. Thus 
both sides get the advantage of “attack” and “defence” play. In 
short, “attack” means keep away and pass to one of your own 
men when you are hard pressed; while “defence” means take 
away and you become the attack for the time being. “Tag” 
develops the wind, keeps all your men playing at once, and 
gives a chance for a man to show to some little extent his natural 
ability for either attack or defence work. It is good all around 
training. 

If side A has the ball it is necessary for her men to “uncover,” 
that is get away from their individual opponents* so that men 
of the same side can pass to them. Thus side A retains the 
ball. On the other hand, side B must “cover up,” that is, each 
man must get so close to the opponent, against whom he has been 
paired off, that he can interfere with every play the other man 
tries to make; hence side A has no uncovered man to pass to. 
When this is accomplished, the ball, since it is out of absolute 



1 


CHECKING-STICK—A has just caught the ball, B is trying to take it from his stick by a sharp check from 

underneath. 












20 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


control of the side which just had it, becomes, so to speak, com¬ 
mon property; and either side may make it its possession for the 
time being. 

DO NOT BUNCH. 

The new men think it is absolutely their business, always to 
be where the ball is. That is true in a great many other games, 
but in lacrosse it is seldom desirable to have more than two 
men in the immediate neighborhood of the ball. They get in 
each other’s way; and worse yet, other opponents are drawn 
into the play, making it possiblp for one opponent to “cover’’ 
several of your men at one time. 

In trying to get near the ball, a new man forgets all about 
the particular man he has been told to play against. A man 
should not forget about his opponent, but at the same time, if 
on looking around, he should find that his man has shifted posi¬ 
tion considerably, he should take the opponent nearest to him, 
and let some one else of his side look after the man who has 
shifted. Here we have the first element in team play. Do not 
say, “this is not my man”; take the nearest opponent to you, and 
cover him closely. By this we do not mean to stand three yards 
from him, for a good man only needs three feet to make a good 
play; but rub up against him, the closer the better. 

HOW TO CHECK A STICK. 

Always be ready to “check stick." That is strike, push aside 
or lift your opponent’s stick s*o as to prevent him from using 
it for the time being. What can a lacrosse player do without 
his stick? Remember, however, that you can not check a man’s 
stick until you are within six feet of the hall. Also that it is 
a foul to touch the hall with your hand. 

Of the different stick checks, the lift or “check up” is the 
most efficient. It is true that it does not come as natural as 
beating down on a man’s stick; but it is the one check without 
which a good player is at sea. To illustrate, the ball' is on the 
ground, player A is trying to pick it up, while B is trying to 
keep him from doing so. B strikes down on A’s stick, what is 
the result ? A simply takes another try at picking up the ball; 



CHECKING UP—A is in the act of picking up the ball, while B, just 
as A’s stick comes down for the scoop, “ checks up ” with a sharp rap, 
thus causing A to run over the ball and giving B the advantage. 





22 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


he still has the better position, since his stick is nearest the 
ball. Now had B “checked up,” that is run his stick under A’s 
and struck it up sharply, he could have picked up the ball, and 
been off with it before A could have gotten his stick down on 
the ball again. By “checking up,” B placed his stick nearest to 
the ball; he has it practically in his absolute control until A 
“checks up.” Of course there are times when the other checks 
are used; but this is the one the new man must learn in practice; 
the others come by experience. When checking a man’s stick 
do not hit at it with all your might, and lose your balance. It 
only takes a little sharp rap at the proper moment. 

HELP YOUR MAN TO GET THE BALL. 

Whenever the ball goes up into the air, as it often does in a 
scrimmage, all the new men will stand on tiptoe and try to reach 
it first as it descends. If there is . an old man in the bunch he 
will wait to see how far the new men can reach, and just as 
the ball is about to touch the highest stick, he goes us with a 
flash and catches it just above the new man’s stick, or bats it to 
one of his men on the outside of the bunch. 

Again the new men will not get the ball, because there are 
two old players in the bunch. By a call, or mutual sign of some 
kind, A says to B, you take the men while I take the ball. So 
just as the ball is about to drop into the sticks of the new men, 
B will give the stick nearest the ball a sharp rap, thus displacing 
the extended stick which is by no means firm in its owner’s grasp, 
and the ball dropping to the ground will be snatched up by A, 
who has been quietly waiting for it. This is team work. On 
all occasions, should two men find themselves in a scrimmage 
with an opponent, one “takes the man” while the other “takes the 
ball.” 

By “take the man” we mean place and keep your opponent in 
such a position that he can not get at the ball. All legitimate 
“checks” are permissible within six feet of the ball. Place your¬ 
self between him and the ball, shifting your position as he shifts 
his. Then when your opponent can not get by you, he will try 
for your man’s stick just as this one comes in, at your signal, to 



ONE TAKES THE MAN WHILE OTHER TAKES THE BALL—Notice how B is blocking off C’s 

body as well as his stick, while A takes the ball. 









24 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


carry out the ball. Here is where your stick comes into play; 
when he strikes at your man’s stick, use your stick as a guard to 
keep him from interfering with a clean pick up by your player. 
Try it and you will readily see what I mean. Blocked by your 
body as you have planted yourself, with widely extended legs, 
and at the same time with his stick kept out of the game by 
yours there is nothing to prevent your man from getting the 
ball without trouble. Moreover the man directly in a scrim¬ 
mage is often standing directly over the ball, and can not get his 
stick down low enough to make a clean pick-up. Block your 
opponent and let your team-mate help you. 

USE YOUR FEET. 

In case you have no one near enough to assist you, make 
use of your feet; kick the ball out of the bunch, while you are 
checking their sticks, and then try for a clean pick-up. You 
know where the ball is going, they do not. 

Also at times you will be running for a ball, and just as you 
lower your stick to scoop up the ball an opponent raises your 
stick enough to cause your net to pass over it. If you miss the 
ball with your stick, use your feet and kick it ahead of you; thus 
your opponent will not get it. Hence you see that in lacrosse 
your feet must also play the game. 

START QUICKLY. 

Often it happens that the ball rolls off to the side of the field, 
and it is anybody’s ball. It is the object of both sides to get the 
ball into their possession first. There are several men of side A 
about an equal distance from the ball. A's players are unde¬ 
cided as to who is to go out after it. They call to each other, 
hesitate, in short, neither. one wants to take the run, and pre¬ 
fers to let the other go. Finally, one decides to start, but already 
men of side B have reached the ball, and are returning with if. 
This hesitation, this uncertainty as to who is to go after the 
ball, is a hitch in team work, and may cost a goal. 

The minute that side B saw that the ball would land at a 
certain spot, the players who were nearest to this point started 



USING THE FEET—A and B are both trying to get the ball, A finds his stick checked by B, so he i 

using his foot to get the ball to his partner who stands ready. 







26 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


on a jump. In lacrosse much depends on a quick start. It will 
give you a few feet on your opponent, and that is all you need. 
If there is any doubt as to who should go after the ball, all 
start after it as quickly and hard as you can go. The main 
thing is to get started; then decide what you will do. Let the 
man leading finish the trip after the ball; it is of no use to let 
the other players use their energies more than necessary, any 
one of them may have to make the same trip a second later. The 
object is to get somebody after that ball in a hurry; the other 
side is trying to do the same. Get a start of a few feet on 
your opponent, and you may have his nerve. A well-known 
player, on being asked how it was that he could keep on the 
run indefinitely, and yet get the ball, answered: “It is a case 
of nerve; very often when I start after a ball, I am nearly dead, 
but I remember that the other man is probably more played out 
than I am, and that a yard more on my part may break his 
nerve.” After the ball is in your own stick, you are practically 
master of the situation, especially when your opponent thinks 
that you have outlasted him, if for only a yard. 

I said, let the man leading go after the ball; this is perfectly 
true, when you see that he can get it easily, and is not harcl 
pressed by an opponent. In any other case, two men should go 
after the ball. For instance (Fig. 2) A and K both start after 
the ball at C. B, an opponent has also started. Whichever of 
the two men A or K (in this case it is K), either on account 
of being a liftle nearer to C, or getting started faster, reaches the 
ball C at the same time B does, should check B. The other man 
A, who is a few yards behind, and has been telling K what to 
do (for it is absolutely necessary that even the best players 
should coach each other), can come in and take the ball up 
cleanly. 

Now the first thing B will do, after he has been blocked, is 
to start toward A, who has the ball. Meanwhile K has shifted 
his position to a point between B, and the place toward which 
he wishes to advance the ball. As soon as B starts for A the 
latter passes to K, and he starts toward his other players unin¬ 
terfered with. The latter part of the play just described is what 




CXI 

6 

P ' 



28 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


the writer wishes to place particular stress on. Do not think 
that because you have passed the ball to somebody else that 
your services are no longer needed. Your work has just com¬ 
menced; by passing the ball to somebody else, the attention of 
your opponents has been drawn from you. “Uncover,” put your¬ 
self in the most desirable position which you can find, to assist 
the immediate play. Never take your eye from the ball, for it 
may be passed right back to you. This passing back and forth 
between several men does more than any other play to bewilder 
a new man; for it is practically an impossibility for one man to 
stop it. Some other men must be brought up, but they are of 
little use unless they cover their opponents man for man. Each 
man take a man, and especially watch the man zvho has just 
passed the hall. 

This chapter has been almost entirely devoted to generalities 
of the game. That is, plays which it is necessary for both attack 
and defence to be thoroughly familiar with before they are 
ready to understand, and execute the system of play which will 
be explained in the succeeding pages. These plays with “stick- 
work” are the scales and exercises of lacrosse, which should be 
practiced some every time the candidates are out for work. 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


29 


THE GAME 

To be a lacrosse player a man must think. The coach can 
lay before you a certain system of play, but it is impossible for 
you to take this for an iron clad rule, and try to play according 
to it. Every time an older player tells you that it is best to do 
this or that, put yourself to thinking, and ask yourself “why?” 
You may not have use for this play for a week; but it is the 
man who has a play ready to meet a play, whenever it con¬ 
fronts him again, who will make a successful player. The mind 
must act very quickly in lacrosse, a step to the right or left will 
change the play; hence a man must study every phase of the 
game so as to be ready to respond at the proper moment. The 
coaches and older players can show you how to think; but you 
must “work out your oivn salvation.” Work hard and try to 
become a “heady player.” 

In teaching new men the system of the game it has been found 
of great value to make use of the blackboard and chalk; and 
still better is a set of chess men. With these the system of 
play can be explained in full, because the men can be moved 
around at will, and thus the working out of any play can be 
shown in its entirety. With chess men a player can take in the 
whole situation at a glance, and study it out as long as he wants 
to. 

No better use can be made of days which can not be used 
for outdoor practice than to give lectures on the game; and at 
the same time to question new men about it. It will be found 
that once interested in lacrosse, the players will sit for hours 
at a time, and try to solve disputed plays. 

In lacrosse as in all other games there is a difference of opin¬ 
ion as to the best system of play to be adopted by a team. One 
man says his system, is the best, another his. The only way to 
do is to try the systems against each other, and it will be found 
that one is more effective at one time under peculiar circum- 


30 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


stances, and another at another. Why then not take the better 
elements of all systems and combine them in your team play? 
This is the chief characteristic of a good coach, and a good 
player; be ready to receive suggestions, try them, and only make 
use of the good ones. Thus the system which will be followed 
out here is a combination of different styles of play, and espe¬ 
cially a growth of this combination; for lacrosse is still in a 
stage of development. Moreover this style of play has been 
found especially efficient with beginners. 

THE LINE-UP. 

Twelve men comprise a lacrosse team, and the positions are 
named as follows : 

Inside Home. 

Outside Home. 

First Attack. 

Second Attack. 

Third Attack. 

Centre. 

Third Defence. 

Second Defence. 

First Defence. 

Cover-Point. 

Point. 

Goal-Keeper. 

Two teams line up against each other as shown above; the 
player’s left side alivays tozmrd the goal he is attacking . The 
attack should be in nearly a straight line from centre to in-home. 
The defence must adapt itself to the position taken by the op¬ 
ponents’ attack. 

There are two fundamental things upon which the style of play 
here described is based. First, a straight line is the shortest 
distance between two points; secondly, the oftener and the 
quicker a ball gets to the opponents’ goal the better are the 
chances for your team to score. 


Goal-Keeper. 

Point. 

Cover-Point. 
First Defence. 
Second Defence. 
Third Defence. 
Centre. 

Third Attack. 
Second Attack. 
First attack. 
Outside Home. 
Inside Home. 



THE FACE-OFF—Two centre men facing, both on feet and balance kept for a dash alter drawing. Both 
sticks are flat and squarely on the ground, with ball between on the ground. Third attack ready to receive 

ball and watched by third defence. 





32 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


HOW TO CONDUCT THE PRACTICE. 

The best way to conduct the practice is to line up the attack 
against the defence. By that I mean take your attack men that 
are left over from the preceding year, likewise your defence, 
and let them play their positions against each other. Then to 
complete the line-up fill in with new men. If you take your old 
attack and defence, and let them play against an entire scrub 
team, it is evident that your defence will not get enough prac¬ 
tice. By following the suggestion here given both sides will 
be half scrub and half veteran, and all will be worked equally 
hard. Moreover, when you mix the new men in with the old 
ones they learn faster, each old man becomes unconsciously a 
coach of his new fellow player. Of course from time to time 
change your new men so as to give all an equal chance. 

, THE FACE-CFF. 

The ball is started from centre, or in lacrosse parlance, you 
“face-off.” That is the two opposing centres place their sticks 
back to back on the ground, and the ball is placed on the ground 
between them. Neither man is allowed to place his stick so as 
to scrape the knuckles of his opponent on “facing the ball.” To 
begin the game, each centre must draw his stick straight tozvard 
himself, and the ball becomes the property of the side which 
manages to get it. Much depends on the way the ball is started 
to make the attack play successful. The centre play will be 
taken up in detail when each position is considered in turn. 

THE SYSTEM OF ATTACK-PLAY. 

The system of attack will be described first, because in la¬ 
crosse the attack makes a move while the defence tries to check 
it. The attack-players (Fig. 3) should be lined down the middle 
of the field on line A F. This is the best position from which 
to begin operation, because as the ball advances from A to G 
(goal), the players must withdraw to the right or left of line A F. 
Now if they are stationed off to either side of A F, a player must 
go to the line A F before he can draw off to the other side 












34 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


of it, and this is too long a trip. Thus we use the middle because 
it is the shortest distance between both sides. 

The principle that the attack must work on is: if your man, 
who is carrying the ball, advances toward you from the right 
side of A F, you must withdraw to the left and vice versa. Al¬ 
ways draw, off to the opposite side from which the ball is ad¬ 
vancing. The great value of this play is readily seen when you 
remember that if you start on the line A F each attack man has a 
defence against him, covering him. Now A carrying the ball 
will advance toward the goal until he is stopped by some op¬ 
ponent, he will not pass to one of his fellow players until he 
is compelled to; because the more passes that are made from at¬ 
tack to attack, the more chances the defence has of obtaining 
the ball. So as A approaches along A F he is coming toward 
B. But B is covered by a defence man, hence A can not go in 
toward goal with B’s defence in front of him. There are now 
only two things to be done; either B must get his defence away 
from A F so that A can keep on toward goal unmolested, or B 
must get in a position so that A can pass the ball to him when 
he is stopped by B's defence. Now, if B draws back toward C 
he gets in a position where C’s defence can keep him from 
catching the pass. A and B will both be covered, and the ball 
will in all probability go over to the opposing side. 

But let B draw off from B to B', then if the defence which 
is covering B follows him out to B' A can keep right on toward 
goal. On the other hand, should B’s defence come out to stop 
A, the ball can be passed safely to B at B'; and he in turn can 
start in toward goal, the ball going from attack to attack in the 
same manner as just described. In passing from man to man, 
an attack player must not pass too soon, for that gives a defence 
man the chance to reach up and intercept the ball should he be 
in a position to do so. Moreover when you uncover, do not take 
a position so as to place the defence in a direct line between 
yourself and the man who is about to pass to you. Take a po¬ 
sition so that the ball may be passed to you on either side of the 
defence man. Both the man about to pass the ball, and the one 
to receive it must try to get in such a position that the defence 




ATTACK UNCOVERING FOR A PASS—B is forcing A to pass while C is trying to uncover; but D is 

“covering close” ready to intercept the ball. 





3 6 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


can not intercept the ball. The player about to receive it has the 
best chance to uncover, because the attention of the defence is 
generally drawn to the man with the ball. Also remember that 
you should always change the style of pass to your player. If 
you pass the ball over your opponent’s shoulder many times in 
succession, you will find that his stick will be ready for you 
the next time. It will be found amongst others that a quick 
pass right under your opponent’s arm, at the height of his 
waist, is a very difficult one to intercept. 

The method of drawing off to one side or other is the 
fundamental rule of the attack system, but not an invariable 
rule, because there is no such thing in lacrosse. You must be 
ready for the exceptions, learn them by experience. For in¬ 
stance, judging from my description, you think that the attack 
does a great deal of standing around. By no means; what has 
been described above must all be done while the men are in 
motion, as has been said before “never stand still in lacrosse 
The attack must be off with a dash and going toward goal all 
the time. The man carrying the ball in must go hard, it draws 
the attention of the defence to him, giving the other attack more 
liberty at “uncovering"; and above all there are opponents follow¬ 
ing him up on his way toward goal. If he stops he is lost. 

GIVE A MAN THE BALL HE WANTS. 

The man you pass to is generally going full tilt, while you 
pass to him, provided he has confidence in your passing. You 
must know where he prefers to catch the ball, so put it there 
If he is running toward goal pass so far ahead of him that he can 
just catch the ball in the end of the stick. This will cause him 
to accelerate his speed, and better yet no opponent, coming up 
from behind, can knock it out of his stick. On the other hand, 
if you make a bad pass, he will probably miss the ball if it goes 
behind him; or he is retarded in his speed, which gives his op¬ 
ponent a chance to overtake him. Remember to use the straight 
swift pass for reasons described before, but especially when your 
fellow player is running away from you, because if he is chasing 
toward goal the ball must often overtake him. 



Tiq.4 


A 








38 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


Now when (Fig. 3) the ball starts from A, and is passed to B, 
it is wrong for all of the rest of the attack men to uncover then 
and there. This is not the object of the system, because you will 
be away from the middle of the field, and what is worse, with 
the defence directly at your side. Also, you could not know 
which was the proper side to uncover to. Wait until you see that 
you ought to be the next one to whom the ball should be passed, 
and then quickly uncover just as your fellow player is about 
to pass, and you will have the ball before your opponent knows 
where you are. Do not uncover so long before the ball gets to 
you that the defence can cover you again. 

THE attack's LAST CHANCE. 

What has been explained of the attack-play will work all right 
when the attack gets a man started toward goal, and no one to 
stop him until he gets to the next attack man and his opponent, 
but this is often not the case. We have now the problem before 
us, what will the attack do when it is covered man for man? 
This, as will be shown later, is the position into which the de¬ 
fence is continuously trying to get the attack. When the de¬ 
fence has all the attack, which can get into the play at that mo¬ 
ment covered, it has won its point. How can the attack be 
caught this way and yet escape? 

Let us suppose (Fig. 4) the ball has been advanced as far as 
B', but now B who got the ball out near B' somewhere, when 
starting toward goal finds himself confronted by an opponent at 
K; moreover, there is no one else near B to whom he can pass 
the ball except C, who drew off to C' when he saw B advancing. 
At the same time the man covering C saw at a glance that B 
would be stopped by K, and his play was to follow C to C', 
and cover him closely, as this is the only man to whom B has to 
pass. ' What is to be done? Why B must pass the ball directly 
at C covered at C\ Now, if C stands still or draws still fur¬ 
ther away from B (now at K), his opponent will intercept the 
ball. Hence, there is but one move left, and that is to jump 
toward the ball. It is the attack’s last chance, but at the same 
time a good one. From playing with his men he knows where 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


39 


the ball will be placed, the speed of the throw, and above all the 
attack knows whether he is going forward or backward, in 
short, he can take the initiative, while the defence must suit his 
action to that of the attack. Hence when the ball starts toward 
C, this attack must make a sudden start and, leaving his oppon¬ 
ent at C', catch the ball at H. Of course a good defence man 
can reason in advance, and will be close at his heels; but he 
need only outreach his stick by a few inches, and his side will 
nine out of ten times again have an extra man speeding toward 
goal and the play goes on as before. The reader will now see 
why. in an earlier chapter so much stress was laid on motion 
toward the ball. 

Up to now, we have only been considering the men who are 
at the moment advancing the ball. What has become of those 
men like centre, third attack, etc., who have passed the ball on 
to the next man toward goal? They have become the reinforce¬ 
ments which are brought up and again straighten out the play 
when it has been successfully broken up by the defence. The 
attack on its way toward goal may make a bad pass, or anything 
may occur to cause the ball to fall to the ground. It is here that 
the brilliant mid-field player is in with a dash, snaps up the ball 
and feeds it in to the men who have lost it. It is this con¬ 
tinuous feeding in of the ball toward goal which will tire any 
defence. “Keep the ball going toward goal and it must go 
through some time.” 

Again, there are times when the men going toward goal are 
so cornered by good defence-play that they have no one ahead 
of them to pass to. In a case like this, put the ball to one of the 
men who are backing you up; then the opponent who is front of 
you will go to stop the man with the ball, and you can place 
yourself between him and the goal. The man to whom you 
passed to get out of trouble will then immediately return the 
ball to you, and the attack continues toward goal. 

ATTACK-PLAY AROUND GOAL. 

We have now a very important stage of the attack-play before 
Vis. What shall the attack do when the ball has been advanced 



GOAL_Notice how the attack are following up the ball, ready to put it into the net should it rebound 

from the goal-keeper. 











How to Play Lacrosse. 


41 


within close proximity of the goal? The attack has been com¬ 
ing down the field, the men in front backed up by those in the 
rear. Either the in-home or out-home have taken a shot at 

goal; but the ball has been turned aside, and keeps on behind 

the goal. Two men, generally the two homes, start after it to 
bring it in front of goal again. While the homes are trying 
to return the ball from behind the posts, the rest of the attack 
should take up a good position in front of goal—a position which 
will give them the best chance to get a shot at goal. In doing this, 
remember that every attack is supposed to have a defence cover¬ 
ing him, hence wherever you go the defence will probably follow 
you. Now, if the whole attack flocks in close on goal, the de¬ 
fence will be drawn in also; and the result will be such a 

bunch of players in front of goal that the defence can easily 
check the attack. Moreover, there are but few openings for 
the ball to get through into the net. The play to be advised 
is that some of the attack place themselves in a semi-circle at a 
distance of about fifteen or twenty yards from goal; while the 
rest lay back some distance behind them. In other words try 
to keep your goal open. The advantage of this is that should 
the defence follow you out, a sudden dash toward goal by any 
one of the attack at the moment that one of your men passes the 
ball to a spot in front of goal, where he knows you want it, will 
give you an open chance at goal. In short, it gives you a chance 
to place yourself between the defence and the goal-keeper. This 
play is a winner, but it takes much practice; one second too soon 
or too late will spoil your chance. 

Now, suppose the defence will not draw out, but sticks close 
in on goal, why then any man in the semi-circle can make a 
clean catch, pass it to any other man who may fiave a better 
chance, or steady himself for a hard shot. It takes a hard 
shot to shoot through a bunch of defence men, in front of goal, 
and it takes time to make the ball go swift; hence it is ad¬ 
visable to stand a little out from goal or your stick will be 
checked before you get a fair chance. 

Now, a word to the man behind the semi-circle; here again 
they are the reinforcements. It is the business of centre and 


42 


How to Play Lact'osse. 


third attack, if by chance the attack should be checked or miss 
the ball as it is passed to them from behind goal, to lay back 
and be ready to carry the ball right in on goal as fast as their 
legs can carry them. Do not give the defence a chance to 
steady down, keep running the ball in on them, and shoot every 
time you get a good chance. For instance, it often happens that 
when the men are working behind goal, a defence who has the 
ball, being close pressed, will resort to a long throw to rest his 
comrades. Now often, as he makes his throw, his stick is 
checked and the ball falls at about third attack; then it is that 
either third attack or centre should be on the spot, and dash in 
on goal with it. The mid-field men should always start toward 
goal, and then make up their mind what they are going to do. 

To sum up, let us see what the skeleton plan of the attack-play 
here described is. The ball is started at centre. As the ball 
advances toward the opponents’ goal, each attack in turn should 
draw off or uncover to the side opposite to the man with the 
ball. If the defence follows his attack man, the man with the 
ball keeps right on to goal; if not, the man with the ball passes 
to the next attack, who in turn takes a straight line for goal un¬ 
til he is stopped by a defence man. Should it happen that the 
defence be successful in covering the attack, man for man, it is 
necessary for the attack player about to receive the ball to jump 
toward the ball, thus catching it ahead of his defence man. 
Now, if after a shot at goal the ball goes behind the posts, the 
men should take up the semi-circle formation in front of goal, 
and backed up by the mid-field men, keep pounding the goal until 
it yields. 

This is the general plan of play, but of course a great many 
things will confront the attack on its trip to goal, which will 
cause each player to use exceptions to the plan given. These, 
as before said, can only be learned by experience. 

HOW TO SHOOT GOALS. 

Every beginner in lacrosse thinks that when he can place the 
ball within the limits of the six foot square which comprises a 
goal, he knows how to shoot a goal. Such is not thhe case. 


How to Play Lacrosse. 43 

A man should at least be able to hit a twelve inch square five 
out of six times. 

Take a wall and mark on it a six foot square, in fact repro¬ 
duce a goal as nearly as you can. This is the best way for an 
attack to practice shooting goals. A good player must be able 
to shoot accurately, quickly and hard. Pick out the spot you 
want to hit and hit it. Moreover, an attack ought to be so fa¬ 
miliar with the dimensions qf the goal that he can place ball in 
any part of it, even with his back turned. Most new men shoot 
for the middle of the goal, in other words always hit the goal¬ 
keeper. This is of little use. The vital spots are along close to 
the sides and top of the goal. If a goal-man is standing close 
to one post, you ought to put the ball right up against the other 
one. 

Experience has shown that a swift ball on a line with the goal- 
man’s waist worries him very much because he cannot get his 
stick in place quick enough to stop it. The most goals, however, 
are made in the top corners of the net. This is due to the fact 
that it is so much easier to drop the stick to the ground and in¬ 
tercept low ones than raise it up in time for a ball around the 
head. Besides, it takes a more nervy man not to flinch at a swift 
ball buzzing by his head. Low balls, close to the goal-keeper’s 
feet, are practically of little value; they are stopped with great 
ease. On the other hand, the ball which strikes the ground 
about three feet from the goal line and bounds up under the 
keeper’s arms or over his shoulder is very effective. When you 
draw back for this shot the man between the posts expects a low 
ball, and when it strikes the ground, changing its course, it takes 
a mighty quick man to be ready for it higher up. A bound is 
a very deceptive thing, and takes a great deal of practice, both 
on the part of the attack-player and the goal-keeper. The writer 
would suggest the use of the straight high shot when you are 
close in on the goal, and the bound for the longer shots. Yet 
this all depends on the man you are trying to puzzle; the main 
thing is to find his weak spot. 

Shooting against a wall for practice has numerous advantages. 
First, you do not waste all your time waiting for the ball to be 


44 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


brought back from behind goal should you miss it. Secondly, 
there is no fear of taking your goal-keeper’s nerve; you can 
pound the wall as hard and long as you wish. This is essential, 
because especially long shots at goal must be very swift, and 
it is just this practice against the wall which strengthens your 
muscles. Thirdly, it often happens that the goal-keeper stops a 
shot and it rebounds in front of goal. In a case of this kind 
the attack should immediately regain the ball and shoot again be¬ 
fore the goal man can recover himself. To do this a man must 
be ready to make a shot in any position that he may happen to 
find himself, and at the same time know that he is not going to 
be put out of the business by the rest of the attack trying to do the 
same thing. Some practice against the wall daily by the entire 
attack at one time will teach them to catch the rebounds cleanly, 
shoot from any position, and at the same time without getting 
in each other’s way. In practice, as in a game, always shoot for 
an opening. 


DODGING. 

The art of dodging is a good thing when used judiciously, but 
in team play it should be used only as a last resort. That is when 
an attack player is left without assistance. There are several 
ways of getting around a man, but you will find that you cannot 
fool a good defence player a second time with the same dodge. 
Moreover, a dodge gives the defence a beautiful chance at your 
body, and should he catch you a good check in the ribs, you 
would feel uncomfortable for some time after. Especially a 
light man should not expose himself to a shaking up unless it is 
absolutely necessary. The first step in dodging is to make a man 
hit at your stick. If he does this, it takes but little effort t.o 
go around him, because when he hits at your stick, you draw 
yours away quickly, and the opponent, not meeting the resistance 
he expects, practically loses his balance. Should the man against 
you show that he has passed through this stage of inexperience, 
and not bite at your stick, try to get him to rush at you. A man 
in rapid motion can not change his direction as quickly as you 
can who are going at a more moderate pace. When a man 



AN UNSUCCESSFUL DODGE—A has tried to dodge, but B was 
ready for him. Notice that B has determined to stop the dodger. 




46 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


rushes at you, a quick step to either side will let him by, while 
you continue on your trip toward goal. A good lacrosse player 
will always stop a little distance from the man who is trying 
to get around him, and wait for the dodger to make the first 
move. This is the hard man to pass; he can change his direction 
as fast as you can and above all things he will pay no attention to 
the stick with the ball in it held temptingly toward him. He is 
watching your body, his object is not to let you pass; if he stops 
you the chances are the ball will stay also. Whenever you try to 
dodge remember to carry your stick low. This is not only a 
protection for your ribs, but it is also easier to raise the stick 
suddenly than it is to lower it without losing the ball. 

There are four dodges which are mostly used. First, as al¬ 
ready described, you can let a man bite at your stick or rush 
at you; secondly, toss the ball over his one shoulder, which 
move will draw his attention to that side, while you go around 
on the other side and catch it behind* him; thirdly, you can roll 
or bounce the ball along the ground on one side while you pass 
on the opposite and pick it up behind him; fourthly, and probably 
the best one, is the trick of running around a man. You ap¬ 
proach him at a moderate pace, make a slight fake to one side, 
and quickly run close around him on the other, but so, that 
should he attempt to check you, your motion may be in the same 
direction as that of his body, hence you only get a harmless jolt. 
The success of this dodge lies almost entirely in the quickness 
of your start. 




\ 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


47 


THE DEFENCE SYSTEM 

In the preceding chapter the writer tried to limit himself to 
system and hints of value to an attack in trying to outplay a de¬ 
fence. Now the point of view will be changed, and we have the 
defence plotting to outwit the attack. It may be stated right 
here that it is the duty of every learner to make a thorough 
study of both sides of the game. If you know the tricks of your 
opponent, you can anticipate his play so much the better. 

The fundamental principles underlying the defence-play are: 
try to get the attack covered man for man, keep them as far from 
goal as you can, and never let a man get a shot at goal if you 
can help it, and then never unmolested. 

This may seem a small matter to a beginner, but he will soon 
find his hands full when he tries to learn “how to do it.” The 
defence tries to undo what the opponents’ attack is trying to do. 

To begin with, it is impossible to give a certain line-up for a 
defence to start a game with. Each man must be ready to place 
himself in a position from which he has the opposing attack best 
under his control. One thing is certain, however, that this should 
be somewhere between your man and goal. Do not let the attack 
get between you and goal. 

This is where a new man gets rattled. In practice he has 
learned the style of play of his own attack, and knows how to 
handle it, but in a match game he generally has a new problem 
to deal with. This is where the strength of a good defence shows 
itself in being able to adapt itself rapidly to new conditions. 
Moreover, a defence must rely almost entirely on the men behind 
him for information as to how and when he must act. If he 
moves too soon or too late, he may spoil the entire defence play. 

Practice will show that there is practically only one way for a 
defence man to stop an attack advancing toward goal, and that 
is by getting directly in front of him. Now, should the ball and 
man have passed you, what would you do to get between the 










49 


How to Play Lacrosse. 

ball and goal again ? As already explained, no attack can safely 
uncover behind each other in a direct line toward goal, because in 
doing so they place themselves right in the hands of the defence. 
They must draw off somewhat to either right or left of an imag¬ 
inary line drawn directly toward goal. Now let us suppose (Fig. 
5) that the attack is working the ball toward G (goal), and that 
the defence men are trying to prevent this. Defence d has met the 
attack man carrying the ball at C. Then the attack passes the 
ball on to the next man at D. The first instinct would lead the 
defence d to start for D, hoping to take the ball away from the 
attack there, but just as d gets to D, the ball is passed on to E, 
and the defence rushes to E after the ball. So he keeps on, al¬ 
ways getting to the next man a little too late, accomplishing 
nothing and wasting a great deal of energy. As I have said, to 
stop an attack-play you must have a position between the ball 
and goal. Hence, when an attack or the ball passes you, imme¬ 
diately start for goal; nothing prevents you from taking a direct 
path like A G, while the ball will in nine out of ten cases follow 
some irregular course like C D E F, etc. In short, the defence 
always has the chance to travel a straight line between two 
points (C and K for instance) or one side of a triangle, while 
the attack, which is continuously being confronted by other de¬ 
fence men, must travel two sides like C D and D K. 

The value of this play becomes apparent, when we remember 
that in our explanation the ball has started from C to D. In¬ 
stead of d running to D after the ball, as an inexperienced player 
would do, he starts back toward goal, because he knows that is 
where the ball will eventually arrive. But, as he turns and 
starts toward goal, he sees that d' is advancing to meet the attack 
at D, and also that all .the attack nearer to goal are closely 
covered. Moreover, he takes in at a glance that the only attack 
uncovered is E. So the defence d starts for E, and will get there 
in all probability in time to keep E from catching the ball passed 
to him from D. Had d started for D, there would have been 
two defence men at that point, and none at E. This would have 
been a very bad play; while cutting off the ball at E is the proper 


one. 


50 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


Thus you see that, although the defence started toward goal, 
the play of the attack took such a course that with the aid of d, 
who was “covering back/' the attack-play was broken up at E, 
and the defence need not continue his trip toward goal. But 
now it often happens that the play does not cross the path of the 
man coming back on goal. Suppose (Fig. 5) the ball is brought 
down the side of the field in such a way as suggested by 
C D HIJ P. In a case of this kind the defence man must 
come well in on goal, and when he gets in there far enough, he 
must look around, pick out, and “cover closely” the most danger¬ 
ous man then uncovered. You see when the ball goes out to the 
side of the field, and the attack are bringing it in from a point 
like J, the defence close to goal must move out to stop the man 
with the ball. In doing so, the attention of the defence, espe¬ 
cially an inexperienced one, becomes fixed on the attack men 
who have gone out after the ball. Intent on these men, they for¬ 
get the mid-field men who, having passed the ball to some man 
nearer goal, have kept on toward goal and taken up a position a 
little out from goal, a position from which a quick spurt toward 
goal will give them a shot before the defence can turn to meet 
them. These are the men the mid-field defence should cover; 
they are considered extremely dangerous. It is a clever trick for 
an attack to fool around with the ball off to the side at a point 
like J, and then suddenly put it over to C' or D', who have come 
in unobserved and are ready for a shot. Now, if by chance it 
happens that some man closer to goal is left uncovered, he must 
of course be taken care of first. 

To sum up the defence-play reduces itself to this: When the 
attack tries to carry the ball through the defence the defence man 
nearest to the man advancing the ball must go out to stop him. 
When the ball has been advanced to the next attack, the de¬ 
fence men must in turn, as they are passed, try to take up another 
position which will enable them to get another chance at stop¬ 
ping the attack. Remember such a position can only be one be¬ 
tween the ball and goal; moreover, that the defence man near¬ 
est to the ball should have the first chance to try and stop the 
attack-play. As he advances and leaves an attack uncovered. 



A CLEVER DEFENCE PLAY —Notice how the defence men are inside of the attack players, covering and 
keeping them out from goal so as to give the goal-keeper a clear field to stop a shot. 






52 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


the next defence must move up a place, and his man, in turn, 
will be taken care of by the next defence man behind him. 
Should the ball go off to the side or behind goal, and the de¬ 
fence near goal is compelled to go out, the mid-field men, who 
have been “covering back” should be there to cover the attack in 
front of goal. Every attack man in front of goal should be close¬ 
ly covered; do not give them a chance to get a shot at goal. 

When the defence men take the ball away from the opponents’ 
attack, they should immediately carry it off to the side and not 
up the middle of the field. Off to the side, because the attack 
men who have passed the ball ahead toward goal and are backing 
up the men in front are ready to oppose you as you advance up 
the field. It is their business to get the ball again, and feed it 
in toward goal. Practice will show you that when there is a 
bunch of men in front of goal there is always a way out of the 
mix-up by turning back and drawing off to the side. The defence 
who has the ball should carry it up the side of the field until he 
can pass it to some other man nearer midfield, who has un¬ 
covered to the side; and he, in turn, will feed it to the attack 
near centre. The play of immediately going off to the side of the 
field takes the ball away from the front of the goal, a most dan¬ 
gerous place to have it. Especially is this play desirable for a 
mid-field defence man. for, as he is coming down the field “cov¬ 
ering back,” it often happens that he intercepts the ball as it is 
passed across to some attack man. Such a defence man, although 
in rapid motion, can take a gradual turn to the right or left, and 
easily change his course up the field again. The mistake a 
great many defence men make is that after intercepting the 
ball, they try to turn too abruptly. The minute such a man 
turns, the attack who have been following up the play, check 
his stick, and take the ball awav from him. If he should make 
his turn successfully, 'it is more luck than good playing, be-' 
cause it is absolutely impossible for him to know where the at¬ 
tack men behind him are. 

The writer has given the general outline of a plan for the 
defence to work on, and will now turn his attention more to de¬ 
tail and tricks of the game, which must necessarily compose the 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


53 


“stock in trade” of a good defence player. To the new man I 
can only say, read and remember. All the advice of an old player 
is wasted unless you make use of it at the right moment. 

THE DEFENCE MUST NOT BUNCH. 

The object of the defence should be to bunch the attack when¬ 
ever you can. Get two or three men close together, and one 
defence man can cover them all. If they will not bunch, the 
defence should not please them by falling into the same trap. 
There is nothing an attack likes better than to have the whole 
defence playing on one or two of its men. It is an absolute neces¬ 
sity for a strong defence field to cover the attack “man for man.” 
This is easier said than done. If you stick to them all the time, 
they will draw you away from goal, and let somebody in to 
shoot. It is here that a defence man’s judgment comes in. 
You must place yourself so that they cannot draw you out, and 
yet you must cover them so that they cannot pass the ball to 
each other when close in to goal. Wherever they may be on the 
field, it is the object of the defence to get all the attack men 
who can be of use in the immediate play covered at one time. 
Then both sides have an equal chance of getting the ball. 

To Yover the attack “man for man,” it is of vital importance 
for the defence men to call to each ofher all the time. Each 
man must be coached by the man behind him. When, for in¬ 
stance, a defence man goes out to stop an attack, he cannot see 
what is going on behind him, how the attack is uncovering, or 
how close the defence field has them covered. Let us suppose 
(Fig. 5) that attack D has the ball, and that defence d' is com¬ 
ing out to meet him. Also that E is uncovered, B being the 
nearest defence man to him. As d' advances toward D, his fel¬ 
low defence B, who is trying to reach E at the same time that the 
ball does, calls “steady,” meaning we behind you are not yet in 
position to break up the play. Then -d' lets D come toward him 
until B, who has with his eye been measuring the distance to E, 
calls “now,” and then d' makes D pass the ball in a hurry. D 
passes to E, the only other apparently uncovered attack near 
him, but B, who knew by experience how far he could travel 


* 



READY TO STOP THE MAN—Notice that A is standing still waiting for B who is advancing. A is well 

braced ready to meet B in any direction. 






How to Play Lacrosse. 


55 


by the time the ball reached E, reaches E just as the ball does. 
Hence, he intercepts it, or only checks E’s stick, letting the ball 
go on for another defence man behind him to get it. If B had 
not called, if d' had not known what he meant by “steady” and 
“now,” the latter would have caused D to pass to E before B 
could have covered him, and the ball would have been a step 
nearer goal. This is only one of many plays the writer can 
give to show where the success of the defence’s team play de¬ 
pends on the implicit confidence a man must have in the ability 
and judgment of his fellow players. Thus you see why so much 
stress is laid on the fact that the men must coach each other. 

HOW TO STOP A DODGER. 

When a -defence man goes out to stop an attack, look out 
for the dodger. You may have found yourself confronted by 
a certain attack man nine times, and each time he has passed the 
ball on to the next man without trying any tricks; yet the tenth 
time he will have no one to pass to and will resort to a dodge. 
Again, other men will try a dodge right off just to find out how 
much you know about the game. Moreover, if they get around 
you once, it gives them confidence. 

Now, when you go to meet a man, move rapidly until you 
get within fifteen feet of him, then slow down or stop and wait 
for his first move. Remember that when you are moving slowly 
or standing still you can change the direction of your motion 
much more quickly and with more certainty than when you are 
in rapid motion. As the dodger advances he will, in all proba¬ 
bility hold his stick with the ball in it temptingly under your 
nose, and when you make a good hard slash at it, he will quickly 
draw it away and go around you as easily as if you had not 
been there. All new men will fall into this trap, and it is only 
after having been made a fool of in this way for several times 
that the beginner will appreciate the warning “to watch the 
dodger's eyes and not his stick." 

As the attack advances, it. is your business to stop him. If he 
passes the ball on to the next man he may make a bad pass or 
the ball may be intercepted by your men, in fact, anything may 


56 


J/ow to Play Lacrosse. 


happen to give your side the ball if he dodges, keeping the ball in 
his stick; if he throws the ball over or around you, intending 
to, regain it behind you, and you watch his body, he will not get 
the ball again before the defence man behind you comes up and 
takes possession of it. If you stop the man, the ball will stay 

also; if you watch the ball only, you will get neither. When an 

attack man comes toward you, watch his eyes; in them you can 
nearly always read his play, because he will take a quick glance 
to the side he is going to dodge you on. It is only the very 
best players who do not betray themselves by their eyes. If the 
man starts around you in a large circle, all you have to do is to 

keep between him and the goal, but look out that he does not 

turn suddenly when he gets you in rapid motion, thinking that 
your momentum will carry you past the front of him. Just as he 
turns, a good stiff body-check will remind him not to try that 
trick again. A successful body-check depends not so much on 
the force as it does upon giving it at the proper moment. A 
favorite trick with an attack-man is to toss the ball over your 
right or left shoulder, drawing your attention to that side, while 
he quickly goes around the others, hoping to catch the ball be¬ 
hind you. To break this up, first try for his body; but should he 
get the start on you, and you find yourself too late to meet him 
from the front, turn quickly toward the side the ball has taken, 
and you can intercept the ball or check his stick just as he is 
about to catch it. This play is difficult to explain on paper, but 
some thought and practical trials will show that when the at¬ 
tack starts his trick, your instinctive move is with the ball, 
your next and correct one to stop his body, hence you turn in 
the opposite direction, only to find that since he is brushing close 
by you, he has your stick blocked behind him and you cannot 
reach the ball or his stick. Then a quick turn to the side taken 
by the ball will give you not only full use of your stick, but you 
are in all probability nearer to the ball than he is, can catch it, 
or check his stick as a last resort. 

HOW TO CHECK THE STICK OF AN ATTACK. 

The art of covering and checking the stick of an attack-man 





SPOILING A SURE SHOT—The defence man has covered the end of the attack man’s stick just as tne 

ball was leaving it. Checking his stick would have been of little use. 








58 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


has been spoken of in a general way, but now the writer will add 
to those earlier hints a few points which are of particular in¬ 
terest to a defence man. 

When you are paired off against an attack man, the first 
thing to do is to find out whether he shoots from his right or 
left shoulder. This knowledge is of great importance, because 
most of the time the attack man will turn toward that side; he 
cannot shoot from the other unless he changes his stick to the 
other hand. So, when you cover an attack, always stand on the 
side from which he must pass and shoot. The first defence, 
cover-point and point generally appreciate more than the other 
defence men the value of this information, because they can cover 
the stick of an attack man as he turns to shoot, and thus spoil 
many a shot at goal. In the mid-field the attack has more room, 
and it is harder to check throws, but near goal they must pass 
low to each other, and many passes are thus spoiled by the de¬ 
fence men. 

If you wish to stop the ball as it leaves a man’s stick, cover the 
spot where the ball passes out of his with yours. When doing 
so, do not forget to place your stick in such a position that when 
the two sticks come together, should one slide down the other, 
yours will be on the inside, otherwise the chances are that you 
will have a sore thumb to show for a few days after. The 
stick of an attack man is brought forward with no little force 
when he is making a swift shot at goal. Never let a man take 
a shot at goal without giving him a hard time of it. But remem¬ 
ber that it is of no use slashing at a man’s stick, the object is to 
keep the ball from taking its course, and the best way to do that 
is to cover the spot where it must leave the stick. It often hap¬ 
pens that a defence man runs in from the side of the field, 
trying to reach an attack just before the ball leaves this stick for 
a shot at goal. As the defence comes up on a dead run, it is near¬ 
ly impossible to make a stroke at the attack man’s stick, and even 
if such a try is made, it generally amounts to nothing. On the 
other hand the writer has seen many a sure goal spoiled by a 
defence man making a last desperate reach, and barely covering 
the end of the attack’s stick. It may only be enough to glance 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


59 


the ball, but a shot, which goes a foot wide of its mark, may save 
the day. 

A BODY-CHECK. 

A play which is used a great deal in lacrosse by the attack as 
well as the defence is what is known as a “body-check.” You 
often find yourself going off to the side of the field after thq 
ball, closely pressed by an opponent. He is running parallel to 
you, and will reach the ball at the same time you do; what can 
you do to shake him? Just as he gets to within about six feet 
of the ball, give him a sharp blow with your hip, and if your 
weight will not bowl him over, it will at least give you a slight 
advantage, just enough to get the ball in your stick. 

A “check” which is more effective, but which requires a 
great deal more practice is the trick of getting a man’s legs 
tangled, thus causing him to throw himself just as you reach 
such a distance from the ball, from which, should you cause your 
opponent to go down, he cannot cover the ball with his stick or 
be up again waiting for you when you are retracing your steps 
toward goal, give his leg which is next to you a sharp rap with 
the lower part of your hip and he will go down. But remem¬ 
ber that you must catch his leg just as he is about to draw it 
forward for the next stride, so that the jar will cause it to 
swing behind the other leg; otherwise the chances are that you 
will go down yourself. 

To meet a “body-check,” do not let a man get in step with 
you, and at the same time run with your feet apart; it steadies 
you for anything that may happen, and makes it practically im¬ 
possible for a man to tangle up your legs. If you see that there 
is no way to avoid a check, either make your muscles rigid 
to receive it, or slow up suddenly and let your body yield so as 
*not to give your opponent any resistance; and he will in all prob¬ 
ability lose his balance. This, with a little assistance from you 
will cause him to fall, and you may continue after the ball. To 
become expert in the use of the “body-check” takes a deal of 
practice; but it comes in very conveniently when you know how 
to use it. 

In passing. I will add, that, in Lacrosse, we have still another 


6o 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


check which is known as the “cross-check. For this you hold 
your stick with both hands, while you shove it against your oppo¬ 
nent’s body. The use of this check is strictly forbidden; and is 
enough cause for a referee to remove a player for the rest of 
the match. 

WHERE TO “lay” FOR THE BALL. 

Under the head of “Tag” mention has been made of the fact 
that not too many of one side should get into a scrimmage. Let 
one and in extreme case two get into the mix-up, while the others 
should “lay” on the outside of the bunch. The man who waits 
on the outside always gets the ball. Now, the point to be taken 
notice of here is, where shall a defence man “lay” on the outside 
of a bunch? First of all his position is between the spot of 
scrimmage, and his goal. This is so as to stop any attack man, 
who may break away from the bunch, and start toward goal. A 
defence man should wait at such a distance from the scrimmage, 
so that he can snatch up the ball, as it rolls out from any side 
of the bunch; or should a man manage to start out of the scrim¬ 
mage toward goal, he will find himself well in front of him 
New men generally take a position so close to the men who are 
fighting for the ball, that when a man dashes out of the bunch, 
on the opposite side from where the new man is, he can circle 
the new man, and keep on toward goal unmolested. 

Whenever you are waiting out of a bunch for a ball, and you 
should see an opportunity to get it from within the scrimmage, 
start quickly, keep your eye on the ball, and plow right through 
the bunch, shoving the ball ahead of you, until you come out on 
the other side. Under no circumstances slap at the ball with 
the side of your stick it’s of no use. Hold your stick firmly 
with both hands, and put your weight behind it; then as you go 
through with the ball, your opponents’ sticks will slide off, and 
do little harm. This play may seem a small matter, but it is 
of great importance to both attack and defence; for it is a part 
of that snap and dash, combined with concentration of force 
which makes a good player. 

A defence man must play a deliberate, cool game; take his 
time and play sure. You may suddenly find the ball bounding 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


6i 


toward you, and several attacks close after it. A bounding ball 
is a hard one to get, and it takes the most careful judgment; 
should you become rattled, seeing the attack men so close in 
front of you, and miss the ball, it may cost your side a goal. 
So do not try to get started before you have the ball in your 
stick; but place yourself well in a line with the ball, so that, should 
you miss it, it will hit your body. A defence man should always 
back uf> bounding balls with his body. Now, should the attack 
reach you before you can place the ball firmly in your stick, 
simply pin it firmly to the ground with the flat side of your stick, 
and they will pass by you. Then make a clean pick-up before 
they recover themselves, and you are master of the situation. 
Play deliberately, coolly and surely, and you will generally get 
the ball out of d tight place. 

THE LONG THROW. 

It is true that the modern game of lacrosse is mostly played 
with the short overhand pass; but there are times, and especially 
on the defence, when the underhand throw, and also the long 
sling over the shoulder are useful. The trouble with the new 
defence men is, that when they have learned the possibility of 
the long throws they sling the ball up the field whenever they 
are closely pressed; thus losing the benefit of the short pass 
from man to man which makes the control of the course of the 
ball to a side an absolute certainty. When the ball rises for a 
long throw it may fall into the hands of either side when it 
lands at the other end of the field. In the underhand throw 
you use your stick something like a shovel; while in the sling 
over the shoulder you draw the stick over your shoulder getting 
your entire back into the throw. In both throws you face in the 
opposite direction from which you wish the ball to go. The first 
one is generally learned more readily by the new men ; the other 
is harder for an opponent to check. 

At any time should you find the defence of your opponents 
resorting to long throws to get the ball up to their attack, every 
defence man should closely check the stick of the attack, against 
whom he is playing, and let the goal-keeper, who is an extra man 


62 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


take the ball. Very often it is only necessary to check the stick 
of the man, who is about to receive the ball, and let the next 
defence man behind you get it. 

When a defence man makes a long throw he should place it 
just as well as he would a short one. Put it in a certain place, 
so that your midfield men know where to expect it. Above all 
do not use it when you are a great distance behind your goal; 
because in that case the ball will drop into the hands of your 
opponents’ attack men, and they will run in on goal, shooting 
before you can regain your position in front of goal. Try to 
bring the ball up on a line with the goal before you throw; but 
should you be so pressed that a long throw from a distance 
behind goal is a necessity, then throw up the field at an angle, 
so that the ball will go off toward the side, and not fall into the 
hands of the midfield attack. This will give you time to regain 
your position before another attack-play is made. 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


63 


THE PLAYER AND HIS POSITION 

In this chapter the writer will take up each position in turn, 
and try to point out some little tricks of the trade which pertain 
to a position in particular, and at the same time the relation 
of the player to his immediate neighbor. 

IN-HOME. 

For this position a man who can stand a good deal of rough 
work and is extremely quick in getting the ball in and out of 
his stick, is desirable. As an in-home you are always very 
closely covered, because you are one of the men who are ex¬ 
pected to make goals, and your opponents know it. You must 
take a great many chances, since you often jump up after high 
balls, thus leaving your ribs exposed for a body-check. 

The in-home should stand pretty nearly on the “crease line.” 
This line marks off an area of a certain number of feet, within 
which an attack player can not go. If any attack man is 
within this line, when a goal is shot, the tally does not stand. 
It is along the “crease” that the in-home should take his posi¬ 
tion. The object of this is to keep the point well in on his 
goal, thus giving the out-home a chance to come pretty close 
to goal for a shot. It must be remembered that the object of 
the point man is to make an attack shoot as far out from goal 
as possible; for then any goal-keeper, with good stick work, 
ought to be able to intercept the ball. As the out-home ad¬ 
vances toward goal with the ball, the in-home must draw off 
to the opposite side; then, if the point follows the in-home 
off to the side, the out-home must shoot. If point advances 
toward out-home, the latter passes to in-home, who, seeing what 
the point was going to do, has placed himself in a good position 
to shoot. Always try to get between point and goal, but do not 
forget that you also have the goal-man to deal with. If you 
get too close in on goal, when the out-home is about to pass 


64 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


to you, you will suddenly find yourself upset by the goal-keeper, 
who started out for you the minute he saw the ball start from 
out-home’s stick toward you. “Charging" you is practically his 
last chance, because when in-home is close to goal, stopping the 
ball is nothing short of a miracle. So you see the in-home is 
placed between two fires, the point and the goal-keeper. It 
should become a force of habit with him always to find him¬ 
self in a position to shoot. With his body in any position the 
in-home must shoot quickly and hit the goal every time. For 
him, accuracy is more important than speed. 

Another very important thing is, that when any other attack 
man shoots at goal, hitting the goal keeper, the in-home should 
be ready to regain the ball as it rebounds in front of goal, and 
immediately try for goal again. This takes a quick eye and sure 
stick-work. Again, when a wild shot is 1 made, it is the in- 
home who ought to start right after the ball. The other attack 
men have been working the ball down the field, and are not as 
fresh as the in or out-homes. Start as hard as you can go; 
never hesitate. After you have played a while, this quick start 
will get to be second nature with you. The out-home should 
mostly be the man to assist you in all your plays behind goal, 
as well as in front. You must know each other like a book, 
so well in fact that the out-home can pass the ball to the place 
where he knows you will be, without waiting for your call. You 
are generally covered so closely, that a call may spoil your 
chance for a shot. 

When the in-home and out-home get the ball behind goal, they 
should, when they get close enough to the net, pass the ball 
right over the edge of the goal to the attack men in front. But 
remember, do not pass to where the attack man is standing, for 
in that case he will surely have his stick checked just as lie 
goes to catch the ball. Put it, where, by a characteristic move 
or signal of his you know he wishes to have it. This is gen¬ 
erally between his defence man and the goal, and at such a height, 
or off to one side of him, where, by a jerk with the end of 
his stick he can place the ball in the net. The attack man has 
no time to draw back his stick for a shot; if he does so, his 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


65 


stick will be checked from behind. Above all, never misjudge 
your pass to a man in front of goal. To make a successful shot 
with the ball coming straight at your waist is extremely difficult. 

out-HOME. 

As has already been seen, the out-home divides the work 
around goal pretty evenly with the in-home. He is also covered 
closely; but has less to fear from the goal-keeper. His shots at 
goal are from further out, and hence require a swifter ball. ' 

The majority of shots at goal are made by the out-home, and 
first attack. The out-home gets more chances than the in-home, 
because the ball gets to him sooner, and it being the duty of 
every attack man to take a try at goal whenever a good chance 
presents itself, he will often shoot for goal instead of passing 
the ball on to the in-home. Again it may happen that the in- 
home is very clever in drawing the point away from goal, and 
thus letting the out-home in to make all the shots. 

This drawing out of the defence from in front of goal is by 
no means easy, and is work which requires patience. If you 
see that your man sticks to you, gradually start to move away 
from goal, a few feet at a time, so that your oppenent may not 
notice it. In the excitement, caused by the game, your opponent 
will move up to cover you closer, not noticing that the distance 
between himself and his goal is steadily growing greater. Should 
your man not follow you, you must move back to him, and by 
rubbing against him, or giving his stick a tap as if by accident, 
you can often coax him to follow you. New men are generally 
drawn out much more easily than old ones. It is the object 
of an experienced defence player to get you out from goal; but 
he will himself never follow you out further than the safety of 
his goal will permit. If you draw out, he knows that you must 
pass him to get a good shot at goal, and he will wait for you. 
If the attack men find out that a defence field will not draw 
out, why, there is nothing to do but to shoot through it. 

Besides drawing out the point, the in-home or out-home, ac¬ 
cording to which may be in that position, at the moment, can 


6 b 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


draw out the goal-keeper. When it happens that the out-home 
comes in with the ball, and there is no other man to oppose him, 
the point is compelled to go out to meet him. Then the goal¬ 
keeper as a last chance will often start out tq check the in- 
home just as the ball is passed to him. Now at times the goal¬ 
keeper will anticipate the pass a little too much. If this has 
become apparent to the in-home and out-home, a great deal of 
calling and exhortation on the part of the in-home “to pass the 
ball to him,” and a sudden feint on the part of the out-home 
to do so, will often cause the goal-keeper to leave his goal, and 
the out-home can quietly toss the ball in the net. 

Remember that the in-home and out-home should continually 
be interchanging their positions. If the in-home is forced to' go 
off to the side a little, the out-home should immediately replace 
him in front of the net. 


FIRST ATTACK. 

At first attack we need a good, strong, steady player. This 
.position is what might be called the dividing line between the 
midfield men and the very closely covered homes. If the ball 
gets safely into the stick of the first attack, he is generally 
in position for a try at goal. Experience has shown that a 
defence generally breaks up the attack play just around first 
attack. This is due to the fact that in midfield the attack has 
more room to work around a defence man; but when the ball 
gets near first attack everything converges to that position. 

The first attack man must be a hard shot; those little in-home 
and out-home passes will not do. He has more time to shoot, 
but he has further to shoot; therefore, he should be capable of 
using a swift, hard ball. Most of his long shots are at an angle 
toward goal. On some teams the first attack does practically 
all of the shooting; the rest of the men fool around with the 
ball, trying to attract the attention of the defence to them, while 
their first attack gets into position for a shot. Then they quickly 
pass to him and he shoots. 

A great thing for the first attack to use is the play of putting 
the ball to another attack man, and this man passing it right 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


67 

back to first attack for a shot. As it often happens in-home 
and out-home are both closely covered, and first attack coming 
toward goal finds first defence in front of hirq. He hardly has 
room to dodge, so he quickly passes to one of his fellow attack 
men, who is coming down the side. The defence man will, most 
likely turn toward the man with the ball. Even if he does 
not, the first attack, being in rapid motion, can pass the defence 
man and be in position for a good shot; provided the man 
to whom he just passed the ball puts it right back to him. More¬ 
over, just to such a point from which the first attack need 
only draw his stick forward, shooting with one motion. If it 
is necessary for him to draw his stick back for a shot, the 
chances are it will be checked from behind. 

SECOND ATTACK. 

Second attack is what may be termed the first of the three 
midfield men. With these men much stress should be laid on 
their endurance: they are on the go nearly all the time. Also 
they must learn when, and where, to recuperate for their next 
efforts. 

The centre and third attack get the ball started in the proper 
manner, and then it devolves on the second attack to advance it 
quickly and safely to the first attack. Always play the ball 
toward the middle of the field; do not . pass away off to the 
sides. Because every foot that it is passed away from goal is 
a foot lost for the time being. Yofir stick work may be ever 
so clever; but if you keep the ball away from goal you cannot 
score. When I say, do not pass away from goal, do not mistake 
me to say never; because there are times, like the play described 
under first attack, when a short pass away from goal may be 
your salvation. So the second attack should, when he receives 
the ball from third attack or centre, turn directly toward goal, 
and not wait for the other men to catch up. Take that ball in 
on goal as directly and swiftly as you can, before the defence 
gets time to bunch in on you. Then do not forget what has 
been said about the midfield backing up, and “laying” a little 


68 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


out from goal. If the ball goes behind the net, get in position 
for a shot should the homes pass to you over the goal. 

CENTRE AND THIRD ATTACK. 

The writer will discuss these two positions under one head¬ 
ing, because the play of the two men has so much in common. 
The two essential qualities for centre and third attack are great 
endurance and head work. Weight does not play such an im¬ 
portant part in midfield ; because the light men, who are quick 
on their feet, can make it their business to keep away from a 
heavy man; they can run around him. But from the minute 
that the centre draws the ball it is a continuous performance 
for the midfield men. It is their business to be where the ball 
is; they must cover the entire midfield, and at times go pretty 
far in on the opponents’ goal. To be more exact, I should say 
midfield and attack field; because it is but on rare occasions that 
either one of them should go down to help their defence; and 
in such a case only the centre man has the privilege. 

It devolves upon the centre to start the game successfully for 
your side; but to do this he must be ably seconded by the third 
attack, and also the third defence. When the ball is placed 
between the sticks of the opposing centre men, and the word 
is given to “face,” it depends on how the ball is drawn whether 
your side will get it or your opponents. Some men learn very 
readily how to draw tli£ ball from an opponent; some never. 
Moreover, each man has a" peculiar draw of his own; how to 
defeat his aims and accomplish yours requires great adaptability 
and especially originality on the part of each centre man. 

One great point to remember is, do not be in too great a hurry 
to get your stick in position for a draw. Let the other fellow 
place his stick first, and then you can place yours so as to coun¬ 
teract the play you think he is going to make. A new man will 
generally be in such a hurry to get his stick on the ground, so 
as not to get left when the whistle blows, that he does not 
study his opponent at all. 

Another very important fact to be noted is that it may be 








7 ° 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


more advantageous for your side, if your opponent draws the 
hall, provided he puts it where you wish to have it, than if you 
draw it to yourself. By a skillful manipulation of your stick 
you can make him draw the ball at nearly any angle you wish. 

Now, when the ball is drawn, it is necessary to have your 
players in the proper position to receive it. So the writer will 
here outline a centre-play which should, provided the men have 
the necessary dash and experience, give the ball to your side in 
the majority of cases. 

Let (Fig. 6) C be your centre, and F his opponent. Suppose 
3 A to be C’s third attack and 3D his third defence. Your side 
is trying to advance the ball in the direction C 3 A. Now when 
the whistle blows the ball must either come toward C or go 
toward F. If C draws it successfully, 3 A should snatch At up 
as it rolls in his direction at K, and keep moving with it to¬ 
ward J. By doing this he will draw F, who naturally rushes 
after the ball, and also the defence man, who was covering him 
(3 A), both toward himself at some point like J. This move 
gives C an opportunity to take a position between the men 
who have followed 3 A to J and the goal toward which C is try¬ 
ing to advance the ball. The minute 3 A, who is at J, sees C 
at some point like L, he passes the ball to him, and centre in 
turn passes to second attack (2 A). Thus the ball starts on its 
zigzag course toward goal, and the centre follows the ball down 
so as to help any attack man who may get cornered. 

Now, should it happen that when 3 A gets around to J, he 
finds the attack man, who was playing against 3 D, advancing 
toward him, thus placing him between two fires, he quickly 
passes to 3 D, his fellow player, and he in turn passes to C, who 
has uncovered to H, and the ball goes on to second attack, and 
then toward goal in the same old way. 

In Fig. 7 we have the play to be used when your opponents 
are so placed that, to let their centre draw, would be of advan¬ 
tage to you. As F draws the ball toward himself, your third 
defence, by a signal from you, knows that F will draw the ball 
and is prepared to start for it; while the third attack, playing 
against him, does not know to such a degree of certainty where 






72 


How to Plav Lacrosse. 


to find the ball. When the ball rolls to K, 3 D should get it, 
owing to the start he can get on the attack man playing against 
him. He has one point to watch; the attack at least two. After 
3 D has fhe ball he passes to third attack (3 A) or centre (C), 
whichever of the two may be uncovered; and the ball is played 
toward goal, while he retraces his steps to his position. The 
Centre-play here described, cannot always work out success¬ 
fully; but the number of times that it will be as success depends 
on the cleverness of your third attack or third defence in get¬ 
ting the start on his opponent. In either case try to get him 
behind you the minute the referee is ready to blow his whistle. 

It is well for the reader to recall what was said in an earlier 
chapter, about the duty of the midfield men to back up the attack 
in front, and always keep feeding the ball toward goal. More¬ 
over, that the third attack and centre should take up positions 
some little distance toward centre, so as to be ready to run 
back any long throws, or stop the defence as it emerges from a 
scrimmage in front of goal. 

It also devolves upon third attack and centre to be expert in 
the use of the long bounding shot—the shot that is made to 
strike the ground some few feet in front of the goal-keeper, 
and rise to his waist or neck as it enters the net. A good 
try at goal, although some distance out, while the defence and 
attack men are mixed up in front of the posts, may often be 
successful. The midfield men are not supposed to shoot many 
goals; but they should always take advantage of a good chance. 


THIRD DEFENCE. 

This position requires a man who has the go, and more or 
less continuous go which characterizes the midfield men. One 
minute he must be found assisting the centre, the next, well in 
on goal helping his fellow defence men. When his opponents 
pass him with the ball, he must follow them in so as to cover 
the ever-dangerous midfield attack men, who delight in taking 
a position which will net them a shot when the attention of 
the defence is on the attack men off to the opposite side from 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


73 


where they are. These are the men third defence must cover 
when he gets back near goal. 

As shown above, the third defence plays a great part in 
assisting the centre to start the ball successfully, but he 
should never forget that he is not playing an attack. When the 
attack advances toward the opponents’ goal, it is his duty to 
move up some distance also; but not too much,- because a 
sudden transfer of the ball to his opponents’ attack will find his 
side minus a defence man until he can regain his position. A 
close study of the general plan of defence-play will reveal the 
possibilities of this position. Lastly, but not least, the close 
defence men should always find third and second defence in 
some position off to either side, as the case may be, ready to 
receive the ball and advance it on to the centre and third attack. 

SECOND DEFENCE. 

The requirements of second defence are much like those de¬ 
scribed under third defence. This position takes a good all- 
around player, quick to take in a situation at a glance, and 
one who must be ready for a dodger. He has no plays to make 
which can be termed peculiarly characteristic of second defence. 
He must be ready to assist the third defence, and also to relieve 
the close defence men. Like third defence, when his opponents 
have passed him on the way to goal, he should start back and 
cover up some man in front of goal. 

FIRST DEFENCE. 

First defence is what may be called the key of the defence. 
Here it is that the attack converges toward goal, and by clever 
maneuvering the first defence man can bunch the play on his 
position, so as to break up the systematic attack-play. On the 
other hand, if he goes out too soon on a man advancing toward 
goal, thus leaving his opponent uncovered, the attack will have 
an extra man between him and goal; hence they should be able 
to get near enough for a shot. 

The play of first defence depends a great deal on the men 


74 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


behind him. They should coach him so that, when they have 
their attack men closely covered, he can force the advancing 
attack man to make the play inexpedient for them. When you 
are ready, make the attack play your way; do not give them 
time to get out of the trap you have laid for them. This often 
requires a good deal of “bluff,” but it can be done. 

Sometimes it is desirable for the first defence to come back 
with the attack, and not force the man with the ball to pass 
immediately. Take the case when two attack men are-coming 
toward first defence, and he finds himself a little out from his 
cover-point. Should he advance toward the one with the ball) 
this attack would simply pass to the other one, running parallel 
to him; and the attack would have passed another defence man, 
while the defence has gained nothing. When the first defence 
sees two men coming toward him, as described above, and he 
knows that they are too good a pair to work by a bluff, he 
should start toward his goal on a jog, letting the attack gradu¬ 
ally overtake him. As he is jogging in, he must gradually 
work toward the man. with the ball, while the cover-point, point, 
or any defence who may be able to do so, gets in position to 
cover the other attack the minute the ball is passed to him. The 
instant that the point or cover-point sees that some one is 
or will be in position to check the other attack man when 
the ball is put to him, he should call “now,” and then the first 
defence must force the attack with the ball to pass quickly. This 
play requires great judgment, and confidence in your fellow 
players to do the right thing at the right time. 

At any time, the instant that first defence has been passed by 
the attack, he should make a bee-line for the man nearest goal; 
this is generally the in-home; and if he is fast enough he will 
often get there just as this man is ready to draw back for a 
shot, and he can check his stick, if only from behind, and save 
a goal. The time he has to get there depends on how fast the 
cover-point and in-home come out to meet the advancing at¬ 
tack. If they come out quickly, the ball will make a fast trip 
toward the goal, and the first defence will be too late. The 
cover-point and point should wait as long as they possibly can; 


How to riay Lacrosse, 


75 


for experience will show that the progress of the ball can 
in this way often be delayed for seconds; and one second may 
be sufficient time for the first defence to reach in-home and 
cover him, as cover-point and point move out in turn, leaving 
their men uncovered. As first defence rushes in, he calls when 
he is ready, and the close defence men act accordingly. This 
is team work which involves seconds; hence it is evident with 
what exactness, firmness, and suddenness, a man must act. 

First defence also affords many a good chance for an effective 
body-check, and moreover his assistance is often required be¬ 
hind goal. 


COVER-POINT. 

Here we must have a man who covers very closely, and who 
is at the same time very clever at intercepting balls as they are 
passed over his head from first attack to out-home. For cover- 
point and point the writer has a preference for tall men. First, 
they have such a reach; and secondly, the attack men find it 
difficult to shoot at goal over a tall man’s shoulder. With their 
reach they can intercept a great many balls passed over them; 
also by good judgment and a quick start they can often get 
what may seem a sure pass across the front of them. 

Cover-point should always be ready to drop back to point and 
at times to goal. This interchange of defence men near goal is 
of vital importance. When the goal-keeper leaves goal there 
should always be somebody to take his place immediately. 

In describing the general defence-play, attention was called 
to the fact that there is always an outlet for a defence man 
toward his own goal. A cover-point (this applies also to point 
and goal-keeper) should never try to dodge his way through a 
bunch of attack who are crowding in on goal. When you have 
the ball in your stick make a dash toward, and at the same 
time to the side of, your goal. When the ball is behind or off 
to the side, even if the attack should knock it out of your stick, 
the goal is not in immediate danger Above all, the ball should 
never he passed across the front of the goal. Should an attack 
man intercept it, a goal would be the probable result. 



CLOSE DEFENCE INTERCEPTING A SHOT. 








How to Play Lacrosse, 


77 


The stick-work of cover-point must be absolutely sure; you 
do not have ten chances to pick up the ball. When it hits 
your net nothing should be able to dislodge it. Moreover, you 
must play coolly and deliberately. Let nothing fluster you; 
think quickly, and when you decide on your play, be it good 
or bad, complete it. Never change your mind; the point and 
goal-keeper, seeing what you are up to, are planning their play 
accordingly. If you hesitate, you break up the team play. As 
said before, whether good or bad, finish the play you have 
started; you can in all probability win out before the attack 
is ready to stop you. 


POINT. 

The first thing for a point man to learn is to cover correctly. 
He must always be prepared to keep the in-home from getting 
a shot at goal. Stand behind your man, and on the side toward 
which he must swing to take a shot. I say behind, because by 
doing so you force your opponent away from goal. If he wishes 
to uncover, and you are between him and the goal, he must 
walk away from it; and you, by following, can force him still 
further off. Now, when you are trying to force the in-home 
away from goal, look out that you do not fall into the trap he 
may be setting for you. Remember what was said about draw¬ 
ing out a defence man. A good point will follow out his home 
to that distance only from which he is still able to handle any 
other man who may try to place himself between point and goal. 
The man nearest goal is the man for the point to cover; no 
matter who he is. 

The object in trying to keep the in-home away from goal is 
to make him take long shots. Any goal-man with good stick- 
work has better chances of stopping shots when he has time 
to judge them. It is the business of point to make a man shoot 
as hurriedly, and as far from goal as he can; then the goal¬ 
keeper must do the rest. Now, there are times when a point 
can stop shots right from the home’s stick, provided he has 
learned to cover the stick of his opponent instinctively, and 
in the proper way. Be careful that you place the broad end 


78 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


of your net right over that of your opponents, and above all 
things, as said before, in such a manner that his stick cannot 
slide down your stick and hit your thumb. When a man draws 
his stick forward for a shot at goal, he puts his entire force 
behind it; hence, a stroke on the thumb is anything but pleasant. 

Again, there are times when you are compelled to go out on 
a man to make him shoot before he gets in so very close on 
goal. It may be that you have body-checked him, or for some 
other cause, that he will shoot before you can get close enough 
even to think of checking his stick. In a case of this kind 
approach him in anything but an upright position; because if 
you are tall the ball may hit you, and take a sudden glance, 
making it very difficult for the goal man to stop. Start in a low 
position, and rise up as you approach the attack with the ball. 
By doing this you do not give away your height, and hence can 
block many a ball by holding your stick upright above your 
shoulder. Remember that an attack man does not try to hit 
you; his object is to put the ball in the net; and secondly, that 
the closer you are to the man when he shoots, the safer you are 
and the more shots you can spoil. Also, that by watching your 
opponent's eyes, as he draws back for his shot, * you can learn 
more quickly how to spoil his shot than by watching the ball 
and stick. As said above, stopping shots at close quarters is 
more or less instinctive. 

Now, when a beginner has checked a shot, he will look ail 
about himself to find the ball. He has felt it hit his net, but 
where is it? By the time he can locate it, some attack man gets 
it and makes a second try at goal. By experience the writer 
has found out that nine out of ten times • the ball is to be 
found behind the man whose shot at goal you have just checked. 
When the ball hits your stick, it rebounds over the shoulder 
of the man opposing you. The minute you feel the ball hit 
your stick brush by the man whose shot you have spoiled and 
pick up the ball behind him before he or any of his fellow play¬ 
ers have time to locate it. 

It often happens that point finds the out-home advancing to¬ 
ward him, and is afraid to leave the in-home uncovered; because 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


79 


then the out-home will pass to him, and he can take a close 
shot at goal. When such is the case the point must wait as 
long as he can, thus giving first defence a chance to come back 
to cover in-home; or should the in-home hug close to goal, he 
must wait until the goal-keeper is ready to come out and upset 
him. Should the situation be such that it is impossible or 
impracticable for any one to cover in-home, when point must 
leave him, so as not to give the out-home an unmolested shot 
at goal, there are still two chances left. One is to “bluff” the 
out-home into making a premature pass to in-home; and lastly, 
the chance of blocking the shot as described above. In bluffing 
the out-home you make a sudden start toward him and stop, 
reach up and intercept the ball. This may seem easy on paper; 
but only the sharpest trickery can make anything but a green 
man fall into this trap. Yet it is done time and time again. 

Your very last play is to cover the in-home, and let the out- 
home advance until you can see, by watching him, that he has 
made up his mind to take a try at goal himself. The - instant 
you read this in his eyes you can leave your man safely uncov¬ 
ered. Then quickly approach the out-home and cover the end 
of his stick just as he shoots. You may just be able to reach 
it extending your stick with one hand, and yet the weight of 
your stick is enough to deflect the shot. Checking his stick from 
behind is also effective. In a word, check wherever,and when¬ 
ever you can with body or stick, or better £till, body and stick; 
it will make the homes cautious, and they will take less time to 
steady themselves next time they have a shot. A hurried shot 
may keep your opponents from winning the game. 

The point should have a great deal of practice between the 
posts; whenever the goal-keeper is compelled to leave them, 
point should take his place. These two men should play as one, 
interchanging positions with ease. Again, whenever a scrim¬ 
mage is going on in front of goal, the point should take a 
position between the attack men and goal; and at a word from 
the goal-keeper, he alone, or if cover-point can assist him, they 
should simply check as many of the attack sticks as they can, 
while the goal-man takes his time and carries the ball off to 


8o 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


the side out of danger. Standing there and slapping at the ball 
is of little use; you cannot get it in your stick without having 
it knocked out immediately, and moreover, while batting the 
•ball around, you may easily put it into your own net. Do not 
forget the trick of pinning the ball to the ground; a very useful 
thing in a scrimmage. 

Finally, it should devolve upon point to coach the entire 
defence field from his position; he especially can do much to 
make the defence cover the attack, man for man, in front of 
goal. Point faces the entire attack, and can call the attention 
of a defence, man to any attack who may suddenly have taken 
up a dangerous position. The goal-keeper also has a favorable 
place from which to watch the attack; but the times when this 
coaching is most needed is when the ball is behind goal, and 
then the goal-keeper is generally where the ball is, while point 
should be between the posts. 


i GOAL. 

For goal it takes a cool, nervy man. The best man must have 
careful training to be able to stand up there and let somebody 
drive a ball at him and not flinch. Yet when a man has become 
master of this position, the more he has to do the better he 
likes it; his work becomes fascinating to him. 

A good. goal-keeper must have superb stick work; it is a 
mistaken idea that you can put any one in there just so he has 
nerve enough to stick his body in the way of the ball. The use 
of the body has much to do with making a good goal-keeper, 
but he should use it only to back up his s,tick. Whenever you 
are practicing your stick-work, always try to get your body in 
a line with your stick, so that this movement, although awk¬ 
ward at first, may become second nature with you. The thing 
for a begim>er to remember is, that he should try to catch" the 
ball in his stick; but in case this is not successful, his body 
should be there to stop the ball. 

The writer does not approve of putting a man between the 
posts, and then letting a whole lot of men see how close they 
can stand and drive the ball at him. A beginner should be 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


81 


taken in hand by one or two experienced players, and gradually 
taught his position. Start by giving him long shots close to his 
feet, because they are the easiest to get. Then gradually try all 
the different shots on him; but remember that you should always 
stand some distance from goal. This gives a man time to 
judge the shots, and gives him nerve to step toward the ball, 
which a goal-keeper must do, if he hopes to stop long bounds. 
He will get enough practice at stopping close shots if you put 
him between the posts, while the attack and defence line up 
against each other. In the excitement of the play he will not 
notice that the attack is, at times, very close when they shoot, 
and his nerve will be equal to the occasion. 

• Now for a few words with the goal-keeper himself. Experi¬ 
ence has proven that the position for a goal-man is about a foot 
and one-half in front of a line drawn between the two posts. 
The advantage of this is, first, that from this position you can 
take a step backward, and not find yourself stopping the ball 
inside of your own net; and secondly, that long bounds are 
stopped more easily from this position. The goal net is but a 
certain height, and this makes it necessary for the attack to 
cause the ball to bound within a certain distance of the goal 
line, or the ball will pass over the net. Now, if you stand a little 
in front of the goal line, and then take a step forward as the 
ball leaves the attack’s stick, you can pretty well cover the space 
within which the attack must place his ball so as to make it 
bound into the net. 

The two very important points for a goal-man to watch are 
his posts. A good attack man will not shoot for the middle of 
the goal, but along the posts, and right under the top rod of 
the net. The post on the side of the field from which the attack 
is shooting should be close up to the goal-man’s body, so as not 
to allow a ball to pass between the two. An attack often finds 
himself at such an angle that the body and stick of the goal¬ 
keeper cover nearly the entire goal; his only chance in a case 
of this kind is to hit the goal-keeper on the side, hoping that 
the ball will glance in. The writer has seen goals made in 
this manner on the best of goal-keepers. You may think that 



■< 


REBOUND FROM GOAL—This is a dangerous play ; the ball should always, if possible, be turned 

aside by the goal-keeper. 








How to Play Lacrosse. 


83 


you have your body well up against the post; but nature has 
provided a slight curvature in the body between the armpit 
and the hip bone. This is where the ball, helped along by the 
round post, manages to slide through. 

When you try to stop a shot do not shove out your body to 
meet it, or bend in your knees. Let both your body and stick 
yield before the ball, and it will fall dead at your feet. A stiff 
body and stick will cause the ball to rebound, and the attack will 
get a second shot before you can recover yourself. Bend in the 
knees, and a ball hitting your shins or thighs w.d be glanced into 
the net. So remember, first, get your stick in the way of the 
ball; second, your body behind your stick; third, keep your legs 
straight, yield slightly as the ball hits you; and last, but not least, 
that as long as you have the ball in your own stick you have 
first say over it, and it should be safe. 

After you have made a stop immediately step away to the 
side or behind goal with the ball; never stand with, or pass 
the ball in front of goal. Should the ball roll or bounce out 
of your stick, follow it up with a dash, and regain it before 
the attack does so. 

The position of your stick in stopping a shot on the ground 
should be as upright as possible. Especially is this important 
in trying for a long bound. The best way to stop this deceptive 
ball is to place your stick close to the spot where the ball 
will strike the ground, so as to cut off any curves it may have. 
Now you may not be able to reach the spot where the ball will 
strike the ground, and hence you will have to be satisfied with 
placing your stick on the ground, as near to this spot as possible. 
If you present the width of your stick, the ball will bounce 
over it, so always try to get the benefit of the length by 
placing your stick in an upright position. 

If you see that the attack has made a wild shot do not try 
for the ball, but let it keep on its way past goal. Many a man 
has scored a goal for his opponents by pulling down a shot 
which was far above the top of the net, and would have gone 
by in safety if he had not tried for it. In connection with 
this, attention must be called to the passes which are made over 


84 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


the top of the net from behind goal to the attack in front. 
Intercept all of these that you can, but look out that you do 
not turn them into your own net. 

The place for the goal-keeper is in front of his net, but there 
are times when he must leave the care of his goal to the point. 
When a shot is made at goal and the ball goes wide, the goal¬ 
keeper should start after the ball immediately. You are fresh, 
and hence have a good chance of getting it first. Should the 
in-home get a start on you, and reach the ball first, you should 
be a close second; so as to be able to give his stick a slight 
check, from underneath, as he is about to pick the ball from the 
ground. Raise his stick or knock it aside two inches; then 
you can shove him over the ball, and it is yours; moreover, you 
are between him and the rest of the players, and do not have to 
dodge him to retrace your steps up the field. Especially is 
this desirable when the ball is close to a fence; because you will 
have your opponent between yourself and the fence. 

In conclusion, do not forget that you should never let the 
in-home get a shot at goal if you can help it. If he plays close 
to the crease, you can often spoil his shot by coming out and 
* checking him just as the ball reaches him. Do not start too 
soon; by that I mean, do not start before the ball leaves the 
stick of the man passing to the in-home. - Look out for a 
bluff; the out-home may make a feint at passing the ball to 
in-home, and then, when you start out, he will shoot a goal 
himself. Wait your opportunity, and then start quickly. 



FACING BEHIND GOAL—Notice how the attack are covered man 
for man by the defence men. 







86 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


CONCLUSION 


The Team. 

The work of the candidate has been traced from the time 
when he first took up his stick, through the intermediate stages 
of learning the game of lacrosse, until he is now ready to be 
considered one of a team. The circle has narrowed down to a 
certain number of men, which may be called the team. These 
must be drilled so as to bring about the greatest proficiency in 
team work. Pick out the weak points and work on them. 

First, attention must be called to the fact that each one of 
these men should be provided with no less than two sticks, so 
that they may alternate them during practice, thus being able 
to use both sticks equally well. When a player breaks a stick 
during a game, he must not be forced to use an inferior or 
unfamiliar one. Again, each player should take particular care 
always to keep his stick in the best of condition. 

Now, the team should be made thoroughly familiar with 
the attack and defence style of play they are to use. To bring 
this about, and a’t the same time make their stick work steady, 
it is 1 well to line the attack and defence straight up and down 
the field, so as not to interfere with each other, and then make 
them pass the ball from man to man in turn. Having no one 
against them, it gives them a chance to make a thorough study 
of where each man likes to have the ball. The passing should 
be sure, but as swift from man to man as you can make it. Step¬ 
ping toward the ball should not be forgotten. 

When you go on the field for a match the strictest discipline 
should prevail. If there is any talking to be done, the captain 
will do it. Go on the field as if you had some life in you, and 
obey, the captain’s orders on a j ump. 

After the captain has tossed up for goal, and he gives a signal 
to line up, do it quickly, and without hesitation. Be sure you 
place yourself so as to attack the proper goal; do not make 



How to Play Lacrosse. 


87 


it necessary for the referee to show each player which way 
he is to play. Line up and do not have any more to say to 
your opponent than is necessary. Look him over, learn what 
you can from the way he holds his stick and from his general 
make-up. Do not let him find out anything from you. 

If, during the game any dispute arises, no one but the cap¬ 
tain should approach the referee about the matter. The rest 
of the players should drop in their tracks, get rested, or consult 
each other about some improvement that might be made in their 
play. Whatever decision to which the captain and referee may 
come should be final. These few points on discipline, when 
carried out, will do much to raise the opinion of your team 
in the eyes of your opponents. 

On a lacrosse team it is necessary for each man to play his 
position. When, before a game, the coach and captain pick 
the team, they select twelve men which they think will make 
the strongest combination. It may be true that certain men can 
play different positions, but the team must be evenly balanced ; 
hence each man has been assigned to a certain position because 
this combination will make the strongest unit. 

The most trouble in this line is generally found with new 
attack men. They have no confidence in the ability of their 
defence to take care of itself, and insist on going down to help 
the defence men when the ball stays down in that territory for 
any length of time. This is a great mistake; keep your posi¬ 
tions; because if you go down, your opponents’ defence will 
move out also, thus keeping the ball down in your territory. 
Even if you should get it, you would possibly carry it up the 
field about half-way, only to have it taken away from you 
because you have no one to help you, and you are too tired to 
dodge through a fresh defence field. So keep your positions. 
What is the use of keeping your opponents from scoring if 
you cannot put the ball in the net yourself? ‘‘The minute that 
a team brings an extra man down on its defence, it is losing.” 

When the whistle blows for the game to commence, start in 
with a rush and try to score first; do not lie back for a 
second half; there may not be any. Moreover, the opponents’ 





88 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


defence must have time to adjust itself to your style of attack 
before it can stop you. Score before they are on to you, and 
remember that it is much easier to lie back on a. few goals 
than it is to make them up. After you have made a goal the 
attack should go back up the field on a run, and rest, while each 
man is in his position waiting for his opponents to get ready 
likewise. 

It is not within the scope of this little work for the writer to 
dwell on the physical condition of the team. This, and the care 
of wearing proper footwear, etc., comes within the jurisdiction 
of the trainer. Suffice it to say that the men should have un¬ 
limited ginger ; no dead man can play lacrosse. Rather have a 
man undertrained than overtrained. 

In conclusion let me add that now as I read over the pre¬ 
ceding pages many other points present themselves to me which 
could be added throughout this little work; but as stated in 
the preface, the writer is trying to supply the want of a lacrosse 
beginner; trying to give him something on which he can base 
his work. A little book to which he can turn to clear tip for 
himself some misty point, as he is working his way “From Candi¬ 
date to Team.” 


How to Pla j Lacrosse . 


89 


RULES 

In presenting this set of rules to the lacrosse world at large, 
the undersigned recommend the simplest, most practical and 
scientific playing rules so far compiled. These rules conform 
to the A.A.U. and are the outcome of over fifteen years’ expe¬ 
rience of the Intercollegiate League. Careful notations each 
year have been made, hence the present result. 

Ronald T. Abercrombie. 

* William C. Schmeisser. 


Baltimore, Md., Nov. 26, 1903. 


9 ° 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


RULES OF LACROSSE 

OF THE 

INTERCOLLEGIATE LACROSSE ASSOCIATION 


OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

Adopted November 30, 1901 ; Revised November 27, 1903. 

* 

RULE i. 

PLAYERS. 

Section i. Each player must be a student of some department 
of his university or college, and must have attended for three 
months previous to the match, courses to the extent of at least 
five hours a week, and have been regularly examined in such 
course or courses. No player shall play in the games of the 
Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association of the United States for 
more than a total of four years. 

Sec. 2. No player who shall have represented any collegiate 
institution or institutions at lacrosse for a total of four years shall 
be allowed to play in the games of the Intercollegiate Lacrosse 
Association of the United States. 

Sec. 3. At least ten days before each match the contesting 
teams shall furnish each other with a list of the men from, which 
their team is to be selected. 

Sec. 4. No player shall be allowed to wear metal stripped, 
heeled or spiked shoes, nor shall there be any projecting metal 
on the shoes, and any player attenuating to evade this law shall 
be immediately ruled out of the macch. 


How to Play Lacrosse. 
RULE 2. 


9i 


TEAMS. 

Section i. Twelve players shall constitute a full team. 

Sec. 2. If, however, one team is unavoidably short of men, 
the other team shall, if it see fit, drop men until the number of 
the two teams is equal. But no match shall count in which 
both sides begin the game, with less than nine men each. 

Sec. 3. Should any player be compelled to leave the field dur¬ 
ing the match through illness or injury, the opponents shall drop 
a player to equalize the sides. No substitute shall be allowed 
except by mutual consent of both captains, to be decided before 
the game. 

Sec. 4. The players on each side shall be designated as fol¬ 
lows : 


Inside Home... 
Outside Home. 
First Attack.... 
Second Attack.. 
Third Attack... . 

Centre . 

Third Defence. 
Second Defence 
First Defence.. 

Cover-Point. 

Point. 

Goal-Keeper. 


Goal-Keeper. 

.Point 

.Cover-Point 

...First Defence 
Second Defence 
. .Third Defence 

. Centre 

.. .Third Attack 
. . Second Attack 
...First Attack 
. .Outside Home 
...Inside Home 


RULE 3. 

CAPTAINS. 

Section i. The captain of each side must be one of the play¬ 
ers. The captains shall toss for choice of goals, and shall report 
any infringement of the rules during a match to the referee. 

Sec. 2. They shall be the representatives of their respective 
teams in all disputes, in which they may be assisted by one 
player whom they may select. 













92 


How to Play Lacrosse. 

RULE 4. ' 

GOALS. 

Section i. Each goal shall consist of two poles six feet apart, 
and six feet above the level of the ground, joined by a right top 
cross-bar. The poles must be fitted with a pyramid shaped net¬ 
ting of not more than one-half inch mesh, which pyramid shall 
extend and be fastened to a stake in the ground at a point seven 
(7) feet back of the centre of the goal, and said netting shall 
be so made as to prevent the passage of the ball put through 
the goal from the front, and the bottom of the netting must be 
held close to the ground with pegs or staples or bars. They 
shall be placed at least no yards, and if .the ground will permit, 
125 yards from each other. In matches, they must be furnished 
by the home club. 

Sec. 2. Around the goal there shall be a marked line twelve 
by eighteen feet, and the goal posts shall be placed six feet from 
the front and back lines and six feet from the side lines. This 
constitutes the goal crease. No attacking player shall be allowed 
within this, unless the ball be within it. 


RULE s. 

THE CROSSE. 

Section i. The crosse may be of any length to suit the player; 
woven with cat-gut, which must not bh bagged. (Cat-gut is in¬ 
tended to mean rawhide gut or clock string, not cord or soft 
leather). The netting must be flat when the ball is not on it. 
In its widest part the crosse shall not exceed one foot. A string 
must be brought through a hole at the side of the tip at the turn, 
to prevent the point of the stick catching an opponent’s crosse. 
A leading string resting upon the top of the stick may be used, 
but must not be fastened so as to form a pocket lower down the 
stick than the end of the length strings. A bumper or stop can 
not be used. 

Sec. 2. No kind of metal, either in wire or sheet, nor screws 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


93 


or nails, shall be allowed upon the crosse. Splices must be 
made either with string or gut. 

Sec. 3. Players may exchange their crosses during the match. 

RULE 6. 

THE BALL. 

Section i. The ball to be used in all match games must be 
of sponge rubber, and marked “Regulation Lacrosse Ball” and 
weighing about five and three-quarter ounces and eight (8) inches 
or twenty (20) centimeters in circumference. In each match 
a new ball, furnished by the home team, must be used. It shall 
become the property of the winning team. 

Sec. 2. Before every match the home team shall furnish three 
(3) new balls to the referee. As often as the referee declares the 
ball to be lost, a new one shall be placed in play. When these 
three are gone other spare balls* shall be furnished. 

RULE 7. 

OFFICIALS. 

Section i. The referees who are to act in the games on the 
official schedule shall be agreed upon at the annual convention 
and alternates shall be chosen at the same time. Such referees 
and alternates shall be men of recognized ability; but shall not 
be students, alumni or partisans to the colleges contesting. 

Sec. 2. The umpires who are to act in the games on the offi¬ 
cial schedule shall be agreed upon either at the annual' conven¬ 
tion, or by the referee and captains before the game. 

Sec. 3. Two time keepers shall be appointed, one by each cap¬ 
tain, before the beginning of the match. Their duties to be to 
keep an accurate account of the time of the match, deducting 
time for stoppages in the actual play, resulting from injuries to 
players, ball out of bounds, or disputes. 

Sec. 4. In case principals and alternates fail to appear, the 
captains of the contesting teams shall settle upon the referee 
and umpires. 


94 


How to Play L,acros:c . 


Sec. 5. In the settlement of any dispute, whether by the um¬ 
pires or the referee, it must be distinctly understood that the 
captains alone have the right to speak on behalf of their respec¬ 
tive clubs, and any propositions or facts that any player may 
wish brought before the referee must come through the captain. 


RULE 8. 

REFEREE. 

Section i. Before play the referee shall see that the field is 
cleared of all obstacles which may in any way interfere with 
the players, and that the measurements of the field and goals con¬ 
form to the rules. 

Sec. 2. Before the match begins the referee shall draw the 
players up in a line and see that the regulations respecting the 
ball, crosses and shoes are complied with. Disputed^ points 
whereon the captains disagree shall be left to his decision, which 
is final, without appeal. He shall have power to suspend, at any 
time during the match, for not less than five, nor more than fif¬ 
teen minutes, any player persisting in infringing upon these rules 
the game to go on during such suspension. He shall immediately 
call “time” when “foul” has been claimed by either captain or 
the player by him appointed or when a goal has been taken. He 
shall also have power to call “time” when he observes a “foul” 
and to enforce the penalty. 

Sec. 3. The jurisdiction of the referee shall not extend beyond 
the day for which he is appointed, and he shall not decide in any 
matter involving the continuance of a match beyond the day 
it is played. The referee must be on the ground at the com¬ 
mencement of each match and after “fouls” and “balls out of 
bounds” he shall see that the ball is properly put in play, and 
shall call “play” when both sides are ready. He shall not express 
an opinion until he has taken the evidence on both sides ; after 
taking the evidence his decision in all cases must be final. Any 
side rejecting his decision by refusing to continue the match 
shall be declared the losers. 


95 


How to Play Lacrosse. 

RULE 9. 

UMPIRES. 

Section i. There must be one umpire at each goal. He shall 
stand behind the net while the ball is in play. He shall decide 
whether or not the ball has fairly passed through the goal, and 
his decision shall be final. If a goal be taken he shall raise his 
hand above his head and call “goal.” The umpires must each 
be assigned to a goal before the captains toss- for sides; such 
goal to be kept through the entire match. They must see that 
the rules respecting goals are adhered to and shall be judges of all 
fouls committed within the crease. 

Sec. 2. If, after the commencement of a match, it becomes 
apparent that either umpire on account of partisanship, or any 
other cause, is guilty of giving unjust decisions, the side offended 
against may enter a protest with the referee against said um¬ 
pire’s conduct and ask for his immediate removal. After hearing 
the evidence on both sides, the referee shall decide whether 
he shall be dismissed or not. If dismissed, the referee shall at 
once appoint another umpire to act in his stead. Any decision, 
however, which he may have given previously to his dismissal 
shall hold good. 


RULE 10. 

THE game. 

Section i. A match shall consist of two thirty-minute halves, 
unless otherwise decided by both captains, with an intermission 
of ten minutes between the halves, and the side scoring the 
greater number of goals shall be declared the winner. Time to 
be taken out whenever time is called. In event of a tie, playing 
shall be continued after an intermission of fifteen minutes, for 
fifteen minutes, and the side having scored the greater number 
of goals at the end of this time shall be declared the winner. In 
the event of a tie at the end of this time, the captains shall de¬ 
cide whether the game be postponed, or that it remain a tie. 

Sec. 2. A goal shall be scored when in the opinion of the 
umpire the ball has been fairly passed between the posts and be- 


9 6 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


low the level of their tops by any other method than that of 
being carried through in the stick of an attacking player. Should 
the ball be accidentally put through a goal by one of the players 
defending it, it shall count a goal for the side attacking that goal. 
Should it be put through by anyone not actually a player, it shall 
not count. (In that event the ball must be put in play at centre 
field.) 

Sec. 3. If the ball goes out of bounds the referee shall call 
“time.” The ball is then to be brought back to the place where it 
left bounds and faced ten yards within bounds by the two nearest 
opponents, the other players retaining their positions from that 
moment when time was called. The captains must settle the 
bounds before the match begins. 

Sec. 4. In case the ball should hit the umpire, time must be 
called, and the ball shall then be put in play at a distance of ten 
(10) yards behind the goal. 

Sec. 5. In the event of a goal pole being knocked down during 
a match, and the ball put through what would be the goal if the 
pole were standing, it should count a goal for the attacking 
side; such cases to be decided as usual by the umpire. 

Sec. 6. The ball must not be touched with the hand save in 
Sections 7 and 8, Rule 10. Should the ball catch in the netting, 
the crosse must immediately be struck on the ground to dislodge* 
it. 

Sec. 7. The goal-keeper, while defending goal within ,the goal 
crease, may knock the ball away with his hand, or block it in any 
manner with his crosse or body. 

Sec. 8. Should the ball lodge in a place inaccessible to the 
crosse, it may be taken out with the hand and the player picking 
it up must face for it ten feet within playing limits with its near¬ 
est opponent. In case either used a left handed crosse, the referee 
shall toss up the ball between them, and call play when both are 
ready. 

Sec. 9. At the beginning of each half the ball shall be faced 
midway between the goals. The facing shall be done in a 
circle with a radius of six (6) feet, and no other players than 
the two facing shall be allowed in said circle until the ball has 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


97 


passed out of it. The players facing shall have their left side 
toward the goal they are attacking and shall not be allowed to 
use a left handed crosse. The referee shall ascertain if both cap¬ 
tains are ready and place the ball on the ground between the 
crosses of the two centre players. He shall then withdraw at 
least ten feet and call “play.” The crosses must be placed back 
to back and overlap about two-thirds the length of the netting, 
and each be drawn straight back toward the player holding it 
when the referee calls “play.” 

Sec. io. No player shall be allowed within six feet of those 
facing the ball until it is in play. 

Sec. ii. After each goal the players must change goals and 
the ball again put in play by facing it in the centre of the field. 

Sec. 12. Only the captain of either side, and one other player 
by him appointed, shall have the right to claim a “foul” and the 
referee shall not stop the game when “foul” is claimed by any¬ 
one else. 

Sec. 13. When a “foul” has been claimed, the referee shall 
call “time” by blowing a whistle, after which the ball must not be 
touched by either club, nor shall the players move from the po¬ 
sitions in which they happened to be at the moment; until the 
referee has called “play.” If a player should be in possession 
of the ball when “time” has been called, he must drop it on the 
ground. If the ball shall enter goal after “time” has been called, 
it shall not count. If a goal is made after the play on which 
a “foul” is claimed, and before “time” is called, that goal shall 
count if the foul claimed is not allowed. 

Sec. 14. In case of rain, either before or during the match, 
the game shall be postponed or delayed only by consent of both 
captains. 

Sec. 15. If postponed and resumed on the same day, there shall 
be no change of players on either side. 

Sec. 16. When a foul is allowed by the referee, the player 
fouled shall be allowed a “free throw or free run” with the 
ball from the place where the foul occurred. For this purpose 
all players within ten feet of said player shall move away to 
that distance, all others retaining their positions. But if a “foul” 


98 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


is allowed within twenty yards of a goal, the man fouled shall 
be granted a “free throw or free run” on moving away to that 
distance from the goal. 

Sec. 17. If a “foul” is claimed and time called, and the “foul” 
then not allowed, the player accused of fouling shall be granted 
a “free throw or free run” under the conditions above mentioned. 

Sec. 18. Should a player lose his crosse during the game, he 
shall consider himself out of the play and shall not be allowed to 
kick the ball or touch it in any way until he recovers his crosse. 

RULE 11. 

FOULS. 

The following shall constitute fouls and shall be punished as 
such by the referee. 

Section i. No player shall grasp an opponent’s crosse with 
his hands, hold it with his arms, or between his legs; nor shall 
any player, six feet from the ball, hold his opponent’s crosse with 
his crosse in any way to keep him from the ball until another 
player reaches it. 

Sec. 2. No player with his crosse or otherwise shall pur¬ 
posely strike or trip another, nor push with the hand, nor wrestle 
with the legs so as to throw an opponent. 

Sec. 3. No player shall throw his crosse at a player or at the 
ball under any circumstances. 

Sec. 4. No person shall hold the ball in his crosse with his 
hand or person. 

Sec. 5. No player shall charge into another after he has 
thrown the ball. 

Sec. 6. The crosse or square check, which consists of one 
player charging into another with both hands on the crosse so 
as to make the crosse strike the body of his opponent, is strictly 
forbidden. 

Sec. 7. No player shall interfere in any way with another 
who is in pursuit of an opponent in possession of the ball except 
when within six (6) feet of the ball. 

Sec. 8. “Shouldering” is allowed only when the players are 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


99 


within six feet of the ball, and then from the front and side only. 
No player shall under any circumstances run into or “shoulder” 
an opponent from behind. 

Sec. 9. No attacking player shall be allowed within the crease 
nor allowed to check the goal-keeper unless the ball is within the 
crease. 

Sec. 10. No player shall body-check another into a fence or 
other obstacle. 

Sec. 11. No player shall use threatening, profane or obscene 
language to any player or official at any time during the game. 

Sec. 12. No player shall deliberately throw the ball out of 
bounds. 

RULE 12. 

settlement and penalty for fouls. 

Section i. Except as has already been provided for, the ref¬ 
eree shall have the power to suspend the offending player for 
not less than five nor more than fifteen minutes, or at his opinion 
to warn the offending player for the first offence and to suspend 
him for repetition of the offence. If the player offends after 
having been suspended once, he shall be removed for the re¬ 
mainder of the match. 

Sec. 2. For brutal and glaring violations of Sections 2, 5 and 
12 of Rule 11, the player shall at once be removed for the re¬ 
mainder of the match. 

Sec. 3. Any player considering himself purposely injured dur¬ 
ing the play shall report same, through his captain, to the referee, 
who shall warn the player against whom complaint has been made. 

RULE 13. 

Section i. Any amendment or alteration proposed to be made 
in any part of these rules shall be made only at the annual con¬ 
vention of the Association, and by two-thirds of the members 
present. 

Sec. 2. These rules take effect from the date of their adoption. 


100 


Hozv to Play Lacrosse. 


LAWS OF LACROSSE 

OP THE 

National Amateur Lacrosse Union 

(Of Canada) 

Adopted April 15, 1901; Revised April 12, 1902 ; Revised May 30, 1903. 


RULE i. 

THE CROSSE. 

Section i. The Crosse may be of any length to suit the 
player, and shall not exceed one foot in width. It shall be 
woven with cat-cut, which must not be bagged (“cat-gut” is 
intended to mean raw-hide, gut or clock string, not cord or soft 
leather). The netting shall be flat when the ball is not on it. 
A string must be brought through a hole in the side of the tip 
of the turn, to prevent the point of the stick catching an oppo¬ 
nent’s crosse. A leading string resting upon the top of the stick 
may be used, but shall not be fastened so as to form a pocket 
lower down the stick than the end of the length-string. The 
length-strings shall be woven to within two inches of their ter¬ 
mination, so that the ball cannot catch m the meshes. Metal of 
any kind shall not be allowed upon the crosse; splices must be 
made with either string or gut. 

RULE 2. 

THE BALL. 

The ball shall be of india-rubber sponge, not less than seven 
and three-quarters nor more than eight inches in circumference, 
and from 4 y 2 to 5 ounces in weight. In matches it shall be fur¬ 
nished by the home club. 

The official ball of the Union shall be the Spalding ball, and 
the Referee shall see that a new ball is used for each match. 



IOI 


How to Play Lacrosse . 

RULE 3. 

THE GOALS. 

Section i. Each goal shall consist of two upright poles, five 
feet apart and six feet in height, including any top ornament. 
They shall be placed at least 120 yards from each other, and in 
any position agreeable to the captains. In matches they must 
be furnished by the home club. 

Section 2. The goal crease shall be an oblong space 15 x 17 
feet, laid out as follows: 9 feet in front, 6 feet behind, and 6 feet 
to either side of the goal posts. 

The Harold A. Wilson Company net shall be attached to the 
goal posts; the cross-bar shall be straight and of iron. 

RULE 4. 

THE TEAMS. 

Section i. Twelve players shall constitute a full team; they 
shall be regular members in good standing of the club they repre¬ 
sent, and conform to all the regulations and rules of this Union. 

Section 2. The players representing each team in this Union 
shall be residents of a district within a radius of twenty miles 
of the city or town to which the club belongs, and shall have 
resided within such radius for a period of at least six months. 
Each club shall forward to the President on or prior to the 
20th of May of each year a list of the bona fide playing members, 
signed by the members (senior and junior), of said club. Any 
player signing such membership list shall be, and remain for 
balance of season, a member of club whose list he has signed, it 
being understood that signatures obtained prior to the 15th day 
of April shall not be valid. In the event of any player signing 
without consent of the interested clubs more than one of said 
lists, he shall be suspended for balance of the season. No club 
shall, however, retain more than five players who have not par¬ 
ticipated in first League match. Additional names added shall 
be forwarded to the President of the Union within one week of 
the date of new members’ election. Any club not complying with 



102 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


this registration rule, and winning a match, shall lose said 
match, which shall be awarded to the unoffending club, and any 
players not so registered shall be considered suspended until 
their names are duly enrolled on the Registration list. 

Section 3. Any player who has played any championship 
match during the current season upon any of the Senior clubs in 
the National Amateur Lacrosse Union shall be prohibited from 
playing with any other club in the National Amateur Lacrosse 
Union, unless by the consent of a majority of the Committee of 
Management of this Union, to be given at a special meeting called 
for the purpose by the President. 

The President of this Union shall forward to the Secretary of 
all clubs in the Union a statement duplicate book, in which shall 
be recorded the results of all matches played by the club, the dates 
of matches, the names of all players and officials in such matches, 
and the official score and times of games taken by the Time¬ 
keepers. The Secretaries of all clubs shall forward their official 
statements by registered letter within four days from the date 
of each match (championship or exhibition), to the President of 
the Union. The Secretaries shall keep their duplicates until the 
end of the season, when such duplicates shall be forwarded to 
the President of the Union and be filed as matter of record. 

Section 4. No Junior or Intermediate player will be eligible 
to play on any team in this Union who has taken part in any 
Junior or Intermediate Championship Match within thirty days, 
save and except any player connected with any junior or inter¬ 
mediate team or association having a senior team entered in 
this Union, it being understood that he shall be eligible to play 
on the Senior Team of the organization with which he is asso¬ 
ciated. 

Section 5. The players on each side shall be designated as 
follows: “Goal-keeper/’ who defends the goal; “Point,” first 
man from goal; “Cover-point,” in front of point; “First, Second 
and Third Defence Field,” “Centre,” who faces; “Third, Second 
and First Home Field,” and the players nearest opponent’s goal 
shall be called “Outside Home” and “Inside Home.” 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


103 


Section 6. Should one team be deficient in the number of 
players, at the time fixed for starting a match, their opponents 
may either limit their own number to equalize the sides, or com¬ 
pel the other team to fill up complement or play short. 

Section 7. Should any player be injured during a match and 
compelled to leave the field, the opposing team shall be com¬ 
pelled to drop a player until such time as the injured player is 
able to resume play, providing the time lost does not exceed 
fifteen minutes. The injured player being unable to continue 
the game after the allotted time, it shall be optional, during first 
half of playing time, with captain of injured player’s team, to 
substitute or compel opponents to drop a man; during second 
half of playing time, the option shall be with captain of oppos¬ 
ing team; it being understood that the game is continuous and 
shall not be stopped on account of accident or dispute. 

Section 8. No change of players must be made after a match 
has commenced, except for reasons of accident or injury during 
the game. 

RULE 5. 

CAPTAINS. 

Section i. Captains to superintend the play shall be appointed 
by each side previous to the commencement of a match. They 
shall not be changed during a match, except in case of sickness 
or accident. They may or may not be players in the match. 

Section 2. Captains who are non-players shall not carry a 
crosse, nor shall they be dressed in lacrosse uniform, nor shall 
they in any manner obstruct the play or interfere with an oppo¬ 
nent during a match, under the penalties hereinafter described for 
foul play. 

Section $. They shall be representatives of their respective 
teams in all disputes. 

Section 4. It shall be prohibitory for any player to discuss 
any question with the Referee on the field, unless requested by 
that official to do so; and any player violating this rule will be 
warned once by the Referee to desist, and failing to do so, he 


104 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


may be ruled off for the game (not match), and furthermore, 
should said offence occur during a rest, he may be ruled off for 
the following game, after having been warned as before men¬ 
tioned. 

Section 5. They shall toss for choice of goals, and either of 
them, or the Referee alone, shall be entitled to call “foul” dur¬ 
ing a match. They shall report all infringements of the laws 
during a match to the Referee. 

Section 6. Before the commencement of a match, each captain 
shall furnish the Referee with a full and correct list of his twelve, 
and a declaration stating that they are bona fide members in good 
standing of the club they represent, and of no other, as provided 
in Sections 1, 2 and 3, Rule 4. The Referee shall forward the 
same to the chairman. 


RULE 6. 

REFEREE. 

Section i. When the Referee cannot be mutally agreed upon, 
he shall be appointed by the Chairman of the Union or by a 
representative of one of the clubs in the Union in the order 
herein set forth: 1, W. Fitzgibbon, Cornwall; 2, R. Dumouchel, 
National; 3, A. F. Rutter, Toronto; 4, W. Foran, Ottawa; 5, 
T. O’Connell, Shamrock; 6, A. Cameron, Montreal. In no case 
where a club is interested shall its representative have the right 
to appoint a Referee. Each club shall send to the President of the 
Union at least one week prior to the opening of the Lacrosse 
season, six names as their representatives for the office of 
Referee, and the President or other officer in order shall make 
selections from said list. 

Section 2. Should the interested clubs fail to give the neces¬ 
sary notification, as provided in the foregoing section, they shall 
forfeit all claims to the championship. 

Section 3. The Referee shall be a thoroughly disinterested 
party, and. unless mutually agreed upon, shall not be a nominee 
of either of the competing clubs, and shall not be interested 
in any bet upon the result of the match. 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


105 


Section 4. Before the match begins the Referee shall obtain 
from the captains a declaration and list of their team, and shall 
satisfy himself that the players are bona tide members of the 
team they represent, in accordance with Sections 1, 2 and 3, 
Rule 4. All disputed points and matters of appeal that may arise 
during his continuance of office (from start to finish of the match, 
inclusive of rests) shall be left to his decision, which in all cases 
shall be final, without appeal, provided he complies with the condi¬ 
tions of Section 3, Rule 4. 

Section 5. Before the match begins he shall draw the players 
up in lines, and see that all the rules and regulations respecting 
the goals, ball, crosses, spiked soles, are strictly adhered to. He 
shall have the power to suspend, at any time during the. match, 
any player infringing the laws, whether the foul has been claimed 
by the captain of either side or not. 


ABOUT FOULS. 

Section 6. When “foul” has been called by either captain, the 
Referee, unless satisfied that a foul has been committed, shall 
immediately blow his whistle, after which the ball must not be 
touched by either party, nor must the players move from the 
position in which they happen to be at the moment, until the 
Referee has blown his whistle. Any player changing his position 
and refusing to return to it at the command of the Referee shall 
be ruled off for the game (not match). 

Section 7. The jurdiction of the Referee shall not extend 
beyond the match for which he is appointed, and he shall not 
decide in any matter involving the continuance of a match be¬ 
yond the day on which it is played. The Referee must be on 
the ground at the commencement of each game, and after “fouls” 
and “balls out of bounds,” he shall see that the ball is properly 
faced, and when both sides are ready, the ball shall be drawn as 
in Section 1, Rule 9. He shall not express an opinion until he 
has taken the evidence on both sides. After taking the evidence, 
his decision in all cases must be final. Any side rejecting his 


106 How to Play Lacrosse. 

decision, by refusing to continue the match, shall be declared 
losers. 

RULE 7. 

UMPIRES. 

Section i. There shall be one Umpire at each goal, and, if 
not mutually agreed upon by the interested clubs, they shall be 
appointed in the same manner as the Referee, and either appoint¬ 
ments shall be subject to the same conditions. In the event of an 
Umpire so appointed failing to appear, his place shall be filled 
by an appointment made by the Referee on the day of the match. 
They shall not be members of either clubs engaged in a match, 
nor shall they be changed during its progress without the con¬ 
sent of both captains, unless as provided in Section 3, Rule 7. 

Section 2. Their jurisdiction shall last during the match for 
which they are appointed. They shall not change goals during 
the match. They shall stand behind the flags when the ball is 
near or nearing their goal. In the event of game being claimed, 
the Umpire of that goal shall decide whether or not the ball 
has fairly passed through the flags, his decision simply being 
“game” or “no game,” without comment of any kind. He shall 
not be allowed to express an opinion, and his decision shall in 
all cases be final, without appeal. Except in cases provided for, 
no player shall in any way attempt to influence the decision of the 
Umpire; and any player using insulting language toward an 
Umpire may be ruled off for the game (not match). 

Section 3. If after the commencement of a match it becomes 
apparent that either Umpire, on account of partisanship, bets on 
the match, or any other cause, is guilty of giving unjust deci¬ 
sions, the side offended against may enter a protest with the 
Referee against his conduct, and ask for his immediate re¬ 
moval. After hearing the evidence on both sides, the Referee 
shall decide whether he shall be dismissed or continue in office. 
If dismissed, the Referee shall at once appoint another Umpire 
to act in his stead. Any decision, however, which he may have 
given previous to his dismissal shall hold good. 


107 


How to Play Lacrosse. 

RULE 8. 

PROTESTS. 

Section i. No protest for a violation of the Constitution and 
Laws of Lacrosse of this Union shall be entertained by the 
Referee or Committee of Management unless it has been filed 
in duplicate with the Referee on the field on the day of the match, 
and immediately previous to its commencement, it also being 
understood that one copy shall be served forthwith by the Referee 
on the captain of the club against which the protest is entered, 
and that said protest shall be read in the presence of both teams 
before the ball is faced to begin the match. In each and every 
case the protest must be accompanied by a deposit of $25 to the 
Referee, which sum shall be forwarded, together with the protest, 
to the President of the Union. 

Section 2. In the event of the club failing to make the deposit 
mentioned in the preceding section, the Referee shall refuse to 
accept the protest, and shall order the match to proceed. In the 
event of the club failing to sustain its protest, the deposit shall 
be applied to the general fund of the Union. 

Section 3. When a protest is received by the President of the 
Union, it shall be his duty to immediately forward a copy to # 
each of the clubs in the Union, and call a meeting within a 
period of one week for adjudication of the same. 

Section 4. Should the club against which a protest is filed as 
above wjn the match at which the protest is made, and the protest 
be decided against them by the Committee of Management, the 
match shall be awarded to the non-offending team. 

Section 5. Should a protest be filed against the amateur stand¬ 
ing of any player on the team, the said protest shall be forwarded 
to the President of the Union, who shall immediately refer it to 
the Amateur Athletic Association of Canada, whose decision in 
all cases on the amateur standing of any player shall be final. 

Section 6. The proofs to be used on said protest shall be 
mailed to the Hon. Secretary of the Amateur Athletic Associa¬ 
tion of Canada within two weeks from the date of the protest, 


io8 


How to Play Lacrosse . 

otherwise such nrotest shall be considered as dropped. The judg¬ 
ment of said -sociation to be given within thirty days of proof 
filed, otherwise the protest shall be considered as dropped. 

Section 7. Should the club offending as above win the match 
at which the protest is made, and the match be decided against 
them, said match shall be awarded to the non-offending club. 

RULE 9. 

THE GAME. 

Section i. The game shall be started by the Referee facing 
the ball in the centre of the field between a player on each side. 
The ball shall be laid upon the ground between the sticks of the 
players facing, and when both sides are ready the Referee shall 
call “play,” and the ball shall be drawn. The players facing shall 
have their left sides toward the goal they are attacking. 

Section 2. All matches shall be decided by the club winning 
the majority of goals in one hour and a half. Games in all cases 
must be won by putting the ball through the goal from the front 
side. 

Section 3. On the day selected, if one club only put in an 
appearance, it shall be entitled to claim a victory by default. If 
•its opponents refuse to fulfil their engagements, or do not appear 
upon the ground at the specified time, the club complying with 
the terms agreed upon shall be declared the winner of the 
match. 

Section 4. After each game the opposing teams change goals. 

Section 5. Should the ball be accidentally put through a goal 
by one of the players defending it, it shall be game for the team 
attacking that goal. Should it be put through a goal by any 
one not actually a player, it shall not count. A ball thrown 
through the goal by the hand, or kicked through when a player 
is out of play, shall not count a game. 

Section 6. In the event of a goal-post or net being knocked 
down during a match, and the ball put through what would be 
the goal if goal-post were standing, it shall count game for the 
attacking side. 


How to Play Lacrosse . 


109 

Section 7. When game is called and disallowed* the Referee 
shall order the ball to be faced where it is picked up, but in no 
case must it be closer to the goal than ten (10) yards in any 
direction. 

Section 8. The goal-keeper, while defending goal within goal 
crease, although not allowed to catch and throw, may put away 
with his hand, or block the ball in any manner with his crosse 
or body. 

Section 9. Should the ball lodge in any place inaccessible to 
the crosse, it may be taken out with the hand, and the party 
picking it up must “face” with his nearest opponent. 

Section 10. Should the ball catch in the netting, the crosse 
shall be immediately struck on the ground to dislodge it. 

Section ii. Balls thrown out of bounds must be “faced” for 
at the nearest spot where it left the bounds, and all the players 
shall remain in their places until the ball be placed. The Referee 
shall see that this rule is strictly enforced, and when both sides 
are ready, shall call “play.” The “bounds” must be distinctly 
settled by the captains before the commencement of the match. 

Section 12. Players may change their crosse during a match. 

Section 13. If a player should be in possession of the ball 
when the whistle is blown, he must drop it on the ground. If 
the ball enter goal after the whistle is blown, it shall not count. 

RULE 10. 

FOUL PLAY. 

Section i. A player shall not grasp his opponent’s crosse with 
his hands, hold it with his arms, or between his legs. 

Section 2. A player shall not grasp his opponent’s crosse, run 
in front of him, or interfere in any way to keep him from the 
ball until another player reaches it. 

Section 3. A player shall not hold, strike or trip an opponent, 
nor push him with the hand. 

Section 4. A player shall not wrestle with legs entwined so as 
to throw an opponent. 

Section 5. A player shall not touch the ball with his hand. 


no How to Play Lacrosse. 

save as in Rule IX., Sec. 9, or excepting the goal-keeper, as in 
Rule IX., Sec. 8. 

Section 6. A player shall not throw his crosse at a player 
or at the ball, under any circumstances. Should a player lose 
his crosse during a game, he shall consider himself “out of play,” 
and shall not be allowed to touch the ball in any way until he 
recovers his crosse. 

Section 7. A player who loses his crosse, and is therefore out 
of play, shall not kick the ball under any circumstances. 

Section 8. A player shall not stand within the goal crease, nor 
shall he check the goal-keeper within the goal crease until the 
ball is within the bounds of said crease. 

Section 9. A player shall not wear spiked shoes or boots other 
than rubber, and any player attempting to evade this law shall 
be immediately ruled out of tHe match. 

Section 10. No player shall deliberately strike another with 
his crosse, or otherwise. 

Section ii. The check commonly known as the “square” or 
“cross” check, which consists of one player charging into another 
with both hands on the crosse, so as to make the stick meet the 
body of his opponent, is strictly forbidden. 

Section 12. A player shall not charge into an opponent after 
he (opponent) has thrown the ball. 

Section 13. A player shall not jump at or shoulder an op¬ 
ponent from behind, while running for or after reaching the ball. 
Forcibly body-checking an opponent into a fence is strictly for¬ 
bidden. 

Section 14. A player shall not interfere in any way with an¬ 
other who is in pursuit of an opponent. 

Section 15. A player shall not deliberately kneel, lie down, 
or drop in front of an opponent when both are in pursuit of 
the ball. 

Section 16. The placing of his crosse by a player over the 
shoulder of an opponent, and holding it in front of him, so as to 
form a crook, is strictly forbidden. 

Section 17. No player while in pursuit of the ball, or scuffling 


How to Play Lacrosse. in 

for the same, shall deliberately hit an opponent with the end of 
his crosse. 

RULE n. 

SETTLEMENT AND PENALTY FOR “FOULS.” 

Section i. Any player considering himself purposely injured 
during the play must report to the captain, who must report to the 
Referee, who shall warn the player complained of. 

Section 2. Except in cases already provided for the penalty 
for fouling shall be discretionary with the Referee. For ordinary 
fouls, which in no way affect the result of the game, he shall 
caution the offender for the just offence; if repeated, the Referee 
may suspend him for the rest of the game (not match) in which 
such foul takes place, without stopping the play. Sections 1, 2, 
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of Rule 10 shall be considered ordinary fouls 
and under this clause. The Referee shall not have power to 
suspend a player for minor fouls for less than five or more than 
ten minutes at any one time during a match. 

Section 3. For deliberate fouls, which occasion injury to op¬ 
ponent or affect the result of the game, for the first offence the 
Referee must suspend the player committing it for from ten to 
twenty minutes actual playing time; for the second offence the 
Referee must remove the offending player and compel his side to 
finish the match short-handed. Sections 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 
and 17, of Rule 10 shall be considered as deliberate fouls under 
this clause. Any player ruled off for the match on two different 
occasions under this Section shall stand suspended until such 
time as he is reinstated by the Committee of Management of this 
Union. A meeting to consider an application for reinstatement 
under this Section shall be called at the request of two clubs. 

RULE 13. 

AMENDMENT OR ALTERATION. 

No amendment or alteration shall be made in any part of the 
Laws, except at a meeting called by the President, of which at 
least one week’s notice shall be given to each club by registered 
letter. 


112 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR PLAYING 
LACROSSE 

When you buy a lacrosse, of course you know it is necessary to 
have something more than a curved stick with some stringing of 
gut or hide—that is, you should know. There are as many dif¬ 
ferent styles and shapes almost as there are players in the United 
States, and every one of them has some special claim that is put 
forward by the maker to help the sale of his sticks—at least, the 
claim is made by men who brand their names on the sticks. As 
to whether they make the sticks or not, that is another question. 

The lacrosses sold by A. G. Spalding & Bros, are made by 
Indians in Canada. Some of the famous Iroquois tribe consent 
at off times to do a little work, but their periods of labor are very 
uncertain. The sticks they turn out, however, are all that can be 
desired. At their Canadian establishment, A. G. Spalding & 
Bros, have lacrosse experts who examine minutely every stick, 
both in course of manufacture and after it is finished, and none is 
passed out that is not absolutely correct and perfect—judged by 
the highest standards. 

Spalding’s No. i Special Lacrosse Stick, made of specially selected 
hickory, strung with clock cord, costs $3.50 each. Spalding’s 
No. 2 Standard Lacrosse Stick, made of specially selected hickory, 
strung with gut and hide, costs $2.50 each. The Spalding Youth’s 
Lacrosse, No. 3, good quality but smaller in size than the regular 
stick, costs $1.50 each. 

The Spalding Official Lacrosse Ball No. 1 has been adopted by 
the National Amateur Lacrosse Union of Canada. Rule 2 of the 
Laws of Lacrosse states that “ The official ball of the Union shall 
be the Spalding ball, and the Referee shall see that a new ball is 
used for each match.” The Spalding Official Lacrosse Ball costs 
50 cents each. 

Goal Flags, complete with poles, per set of four, $5.00. Gloves 
made of well tanned leather, thoroughly padded to protect fingers 


How to Play Lacrosse. 


ii 3 

and back of hand and wrist, cost $2.00 per pair. They are made 
so as to permit absolute freedom of movement and are necessary 
to players who'intend to keep in the game. 

The variety of goods that can be recommended for uniforming 
a team or equipping a single player is infinite, but for satisfaction, 
general all-round suitability and what must also be considered— 
finish and wearing qualities—there are no goods which compare 
with those turned out by A. G. Spalding & Bros. 

Jerseys will be needed and of these there is a great variety listed 
in their catalogue, prices ranging from $2.00 each for No. 12P in 
plain colors and $2.25 for No. 12PS in alternate stripes, to $4.50 
each for No. iPS, the absolutely best grade, in stripes and various 
combinations of colors. Others are listed as No. 10P, plain 
colors, $2.50 each; No. 10PX, with solid color bodies and alter¬ 
nate striped sleeves, $2.75 each; No. 10PS, full striped, in a large 
variety of colors, $3.00 each, and No. iP, best grade worsted, 
close knit and full fashioned, $4.00 each. Knee pants cost from 
50 cents to $1.25 per pair in the ordinary style, that is, with fly 
front and lace back, unpadded. The kind which are known as 
the Spalding No. 5B, however, are rapidly supplanting those 
made of silesia and sateen. They are made of heavy brown can¬ 
vas, the strongest material that can be used for the purpose, 
padding is light on hips and the pants are made loose fitting and 
with either belt loops or lace back as required. They cost $1.00 
per pair and teams will do well to look them over before purchas¬ 
ing an outfit. Stockings cost from 25 cents per pair to $1.75. 
A first class stocking is the No. iR, which cost $1.00 per pair. 
They are heavy weight all wool and will give excellent wear. 
No. 3-0, which are highest quality, in plain colors cost $1.50 per 
pair; in stripes, $1.75. 



Lacrosse Players 


We carry the 
finest and most 
complete line of 
Lacrosse goods 
always in stock, 
and can supply 
every need 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Washington 

Montreal, Can. London, England 










Spalding “Highest Quality” Sweaters 

ADE of the very 
finest Australian 
lambs’ wool, and ex¬ 
ceedingly soft and 
pleasant to wear. They 
are full fashioned to 
body and arms and 
without seams of any 
kind. The various 
grades in our “Highest 
Quality” Sweaters are 
identical in quality and 
finish, the difference in 
price being due entirely 
to variations in weight. 

We call special at¬ 
tention to the “Inter¬ 
collegiate” grade which 
is exclusively used by 
all Intercollegiate play¬ 
ers. They are consid- 
ably heavier than the heaviest sweater ever knitted and cannot be 
furnished by any other maker, as we have exclusive control of this 
special weight. 

No. A. “ Intercollegiate,” special weight. $6.00 

No. B. IleavyWeight. 5.00 

No. C. Standard Weight. . . . 4.00 

Colors: White, Navy Blue, Black, Gray, Maroon and Cardinal. Other colors to 
order at an advanced price. Prices on application. All made with 10-inch 
collars. Sizes, 28 to 44. 

Striped Sweaters 

Same quality as our No. B. Sizes 32 to 42 inches. Colors: Red 
and Black, Navy and Red, Orange and Black, Navy and White. 

Stripes 2 inches wide. 

No. BS. Striped Sweaters. Each, $5.50 

Any other combination of colors to order only at an advanced price. 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 


















.— w - 

Spalding’s 

New and Improved Jerseys 

We carry following sizes in stock: 28 to 42 inch chest. 

Other sizes at an advanced price. 



No. 10PX. 


Same grade as No. 10P, solid color bodies with 
alternate striped sleeves—usually two inches of same 
color as the body, with narrow stripe of any desired 
color. A very popular garment. Will give excellent 
satisfaction. 

No. 10PX. Each, $2.75 

A. C. SPALDING &, BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 










Spalding’s Full Striped Jerseys 



Full striped jersey$; two-inch stripes, same goods as 
our No. toP, made in the following combinations of 
colors: Orange and Black, Gray and Royal Blue, 
Scarlet and White, Navy and White, Royal Blue and 
White, Black and Royal Blue, Red and Black, Colum¬ 
bia Blue and White, Navy and Cardinal, Gray and 
Cardinal, Maroon and White. 

No. I OPS. Each, $3.00 

Furnished in same colors as 10PS, but collars and cuffs 
not striped. 

No. I2PS. Each, $2.25 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed Jree to any address. 



A. C. SPALDI 

INC & BROS. 


New York 

Chicago 

Philadelphia 

San Francisco 

St. Louis 

Boston 

Buffalo 

Baltimore 

Denver 

Minneapolis 

KJknsas City 

Montreal, Can. 


London, England. 






















-Spalding’s- 

New and Improved Jerseys 

We carry following 
sizes in stock: 28 to 
42-inch chest. Other 
sizes at an advanced 
price. 

Our No. 10P line is 
manufactured from 
hard twisted worsted 
and closely woven; of 
a good quality. Made 
to stand the severest 
strain; an absolutely 
perfect basket ball 
jersey. 

No. IOP. Solid colors. Black, Navy Blue and Maroon 
carried in stock; other plain colors to order. $2.50 

No. I2P. In same colors as above. Each, $2.00 

No. IOPX. Same grade, solid color bodies with al¬ 
ternate striped sleeves—usually two inches of same 
color as the body, with narrow stripe of any de¬ 
sired color. Very popular with sleeveless 
jackets.Each, $2.75 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 










i BATH ROBE 

ijfj 

iiMrJ Made of best quality 

m Turkish toweling. . . 

// Large assortment of 

| ’ colors. 


||£g No. V. Each, $3.50 

BATH SLIPPERS 

Turkish toweling uppers and soft felt soles 
No. T. Pair, 75c. 

WORSTED SKULL CAP 

Made of good quality worsted, 2-inch 
alternate stripes in a large assortment 
of colors. No. SC. Each, 50c. 

Spalding's handsomely illustrated catalogue 0/ athletic goods 
mailed free to any address. 

New York 

St. Louis 
Denver 

A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 































The Hackey Patent Ankle 
Supporter 


(Pat. May 12, 1897. A. G. Spalding & Bros., Sole Licensees) 



recognized as a necessity by most athletes. The j 
styles which we manufacture under the Hackey Patent | 
have given universal satisfaction, and are absolutely j 
reliable and practically perfect in construction and de- . 
sign. They are worn over or under stocking and 
support the ankle admirably, while not interfering in j 
any way with free movements. Relieve pain immedi- | 
ately and cure a sprain in a remarkably short time. | 
In ordering, give size of shoe worn. 

Made of soft tanned leather, best quality. 

No. H. Per pair, $1.00 

Good quality sheepskin, lined, bound and reinforced. 

No. SH. Per pair, 50c. 

Black duck, lined and bound, leather reinforced. 

No. CH. Per pair, 25c. 

Send for Spalding’s handsomely illustrated catalogue of all sports. Mailed free 
to any address. 


New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia 

Boston Buffalo 

Minneapolis Kansas City 


San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 


London, England. 





















Shoulder Cap 
Bandage 


In ordering, give circumference below knee, at knee, 
and just above knee, and state if light or strong 
pressure is desired. 

No. 4. Cotton thread. $1.50 
No. 4A. Silk thread. 2.00 


In ordering, give circumference 
around arm and chest. 

No. 1. Cotton thread. $4.00 
No. 1A. Silk thread. 5.50 


Knee Cap Bandage 


Spalding’s Elastic Bandage 



Composed of threads of rubber completely covered. 
Light, porous and easily applied. The pressure can be 
applied wherever necessary, following all depressions or 

swellings with folding 
and unvarying uniform¬ 
ity. Quickly secured by 
inserting end under last 
fold. 

No. 25. Width 2J4 inches, 5 yards long (stretched), 7pc. 

No. 30. Width 3 inches, 5 yards long (stretched), $1.00 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

c t I n U is' Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 















THE A. G. SPALDING AUTOGRAPH HATS 



Made with Tape Wound, Pitch Twine Wound, Combed (Patented 
Roughening Process), or Plain Handle. 



Boys' Size. Tape Wound Handle. 


The A. G. Spalding Autograph Base Ball Bats re- 
cently introduced by us have made a pronounced hit 
with the leading batsmen. In quality of material and 
every other necessity requisite for a first-class article 
we believe them to be the best bats ever turned out. 
The models are those used by the best players, and 
the autograph stamped on each is a guarantee that 
every one has passed the closest inspection and is 
perfect—judged according to our knowledge of base 
ball players’ needs—gained after an experience of 
twenty-eight years in the manufacture of base ball 
bats. The timber is seasoned for three years—not 
kiln-dried, but seasoned in open sheds; then, after a 
general inspection it is passed under the critical eyes 
of men trained in a factory particularly well equipped 
for turning out this class of goods. We know of 
nothing that can be done to make an inspection more 
rigid, and place these bats before our customers as the 
finest in every particular that we can turn out. 

Tape Wound Handle.Each, $1.00 

Pitch Twine Wound Handle. “ 1.00 

Combed Handle, Patented Roughening 

Process . “ .75 

Plain Handle.. “ .75 

Boys’ Size, Tape Wound Handle. “ .50 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS 


New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 


Chicago Philadelphia 


Baltimore Buffalo 

Minneapolis Denver 


San Francisco 
Kansas City 
Montreal, Can. 


London, England 
















•THE" 


Spalding Mushroom Bat 

PATENTED 

In this bat a principle has been utilized which makes a bat 
of the same weight many times more effective than the or¬ 
dinary style under certain conditions, and as an all-round 
bat we have received many letters from prominent profes¬ 
sional players testifying to their appreciation of the good 
points of its construction. They say: “Both balance and 
model are perfect.” The knob arrangement at the end en¬ 
ables us to get a more even distribution of weight over the 
whole length than is possible under the old construction, 
and for certain kinds of play the bat is practically in¬ 
valuable. 

The Spalding Mushroom Bat. Each, $E00 


John J. JWcGraw, Manager New York B. B. Club, says: 
“For a long time I have been trying to find a bat that would 
balance when choking. Not until I used the Mushroom 
Bat, invented by Jack Pickett, have I found a bat that was 
up to my idea. This bat is used exclusively by the New 
York players.” 

James J. Callahan, Manager-Captain Chicago American 
League Club, says: “In all my experience as a base ball 
player I have not found a more satisfactory base ball bat 
than the Spalding Mushroom Bat. The timber is the best 
I have seen; the balance and model of the bat are perfect.” 

Wm. Gleason, Caplin Philadelphia National League B. 
B. Club, says: “I have played professional base ball for the 
last fifteen years and have tried all kinds of bats, but no bat 
has given me such good service as the Spalding Mushroom 
Bat, introduced by Jack Pickett. Quality and balance are 
perfect.” 

Chas. A. Comiskey, President Chicago American League 
Club, says: “The Spalding Mushroom Bat, introduced by 
Jack Pickett, receives my hearty endorsement. My experi¬ 
ence as a ball player enables me to thoroughly appreciate 
its good qualities.” 

In all our experience as base ball players we have not 
found a bat more satisfactory than the Spalding Mushroom 
Bat, introduced by Jack Pickett. 

James F. Slagle John Evers F. L. Chance 

Dr. J. P. Casey J. McCarthy JoeTinker 

J. Kling D. Jones Of Chicago N.L. Club 


1--1I 

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New York 
St. Louis 
Denver 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS, 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 








































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“How to Play Foot Ball'’ 

(SPALDING’S ATHLETIC LIBRARY No. 183) 

NEW EDITION 
Edited by Walter Camp 


Position of quarter about to deliver the ball to the 
full-back for a play between centre and left guard. 

Contains “An Introductory Chapter for Beginners ” “ How to 
Play Foot Ball,” “Tackleback Formation—Modern Play,” by 
Walter Camp; “ Defence,” by Lewis of Harvard; “Howto 
Play Quarterback,” by deSaulles of Yale, and “ How Signals 
are Given,” by Hogan and Rockwell of Yale, an elaborate 
treatise illustrated with many diagrams showing the plays. 
Over thirty pages of illustrations. Pric? TO cents. 

For sale by all newsdealers and 

AMERICAN SPORTS PUBLISHING COMPANY 

16 and 18 Park Place, New York 



THE SPALDING “OFFICIAL” BASKET BALL 



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“Physical Training Simplified” 

..SERIES.. 




By PROF. EDWARD B. WARMAN 



Author of “Practical Orthoepy and Critique;” 
“Gestures and Attitudes;” “ Delsarte Philoso¬ 
phy;” “The Voice—How to Train It, How to 
Care for It;” “How to Read, Recite and Im¬ 
personate.” 

A Complete Course of Physical Training 
for Home Use—In Four Series. 

No. 149 —Spalding’s Athletic Library. The 
Care of the Body. Price 10 cents. 

No. 142 — Spalding’s Athletic Library. 
Physical Training; complete, thorough, 
practical; no apparatus. Fully adapted for 
both sexes. Price 10 cents. 

No. 166 —Spalding’s Athletic Library. In¬ 
dian Club Exercises. Price 10 cents. 

No. 185 — Spalding’s Athletic Library. 
Health Influenced by U nderwear ; 
Health Influenced by Insulation; Health 
Influenced by Color; Exercise — Who 
Needs It? Price 10 cents. 

These books form a complete course 
in physical development for any man or 
woman, and should be read by all who 
desire a perfect body. 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 












Spalding's New Regulation 
Hammer With 
Wire Handles 



LEAD 

12 -lb. Lead, Practice. 

No. 9. Each, $4.25 
16 -lb. Lead, Regulation. 

No. 10. Each, $4.50 

IRON 

No. 14. 12 -lb. Iron, Practice. Each, $3.00 
No. 15. i 6 -lb. Iron, Regulation. • 


3.25 


EXTRA WIRE HANDLES 

No. 6H. For above Hammers. 


Each, 50c. 


No. 19. 
No. 21. 
No. 23. 
No. 25. 


SHOT 

i 6 -lb. Lead. 

12 -lb. Lead. 
l 6 -lb. Iron. 

12 -lb. Iron. 


Each, $2.50 
“ 2.25 

“ 1.50 

1.25 



Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 


New York Chicago Philadelphia 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City 

London, England 


San Francisco 
Baltimore 
Montreal, Can. 








A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 


Spalding’s 

Regulation 

56 =lb.Weights 


Made after model sub¬ 
mitted by Champion 
J. S. Mitchel, and en¬ 
dorsed by all weight 
throwers. Packed in 
box and guaranteed 
correct in weight and 
in exact accordance 
with rules of A. A. U. 


Iron 56 -lb. weights. 
No. 1. Complete, $7.00 


Lead 56 -lb. weights. 
No. 2 . Complete, $8.50 


Indoor Shot 

With Our Improved Leather Cover. 
No. 3. 12 -lb. $7.00 

No. 4. 16 -lb. 8.50 


Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 









Running Shoes 


Calfskin Run¬ 
ning Shoe, ma¬ 
chine made; 
solid leather tap 
sole holds spikes 
firmly in place. 

No. I IT. 

Per pair, S3.50 


Calfskin Running 
Shoe, machine 
made. 

No. M . 

Per pair, S3.00 


Handsomely illustrated cata¬ 
logue mailed free to any 
address. 


A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England. 














Spalding’s Patented 
Running and Jumping Shoes 



Made on same principle as our patented running shoe, 
hut with two spikes in heel. This heel is made of 
rubber and acts as a perfect cushion, stopping all jar, 
thus doing away with disadvantage possessed by 
ordinary jumping sh-oes. 

No. I5H. Per pair, $6.00 

Same as No. 15 H, but short spikes,for indoor jumping. 
No. I 10. Per pair, $5.50 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 








Indoor 
Running 

Shoes 

Made 
With 
Or 

Without 
Spikes 

Fine Leather, rubber tipped sole, with spikes. 
No. III. Per pair, S3.50 

Leather Shoe, rubber tipped, with spikes. 
No. I 12 . Per pair, $3.00 

Leather Shoe, rubber tipped, no spikes. 
No. I 14. Per pair, $2.50 


Indoor Jumping Shoes 

Best Leather Indoor Jumping Shoe, hand-made, 
rubber soles. 

No. 210. Per pair, $5.00 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 













Running Shoes 


This Running Shoe is 
made of the finest 
Kangaroo Leather; 
extremely light and 
glove fitting; best 
English steel spikes 
firmly rivited on. 

No. 2-0. Pair, $5.00 



Finest Calfskin Run¬ 
ning Shoe; light 
weight, hand-made, 
six spikes. 

No. IO. Pair, $4.00 


Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDING 6c BROS. 


New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 


Chicago 

Baltimore 

Minneapolis 


Philadelphia 

Buffalo 

Denver 


London, England 


San Francisco 
Kansas City 
Montreal,Can. 









Spalding League Ball has been the Official Ball of the 
National League for over a quarter of a century, and must be 
used in all games. It is also used exclusively by all the leading 
colleges and athletic clubs. 


When buying athletic goods always insist upon seeing the Spalding trade-mark 
and do not be persuaded to accept something offered as “ just as good.” 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed Jree to any address. 


A, G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 















A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

ARE THE LARGEST MANUFACTURERS IN 
THE WORLD OF GYMNASTIC APPARATUS 


XJ 


U 


They have equipped nearly all 
the large college gymnasiums as 
well as schools, athletic clubs and 
public playgrounds. Spalding's 
apparatus is standard in every 
way. The greatest care is taken 
in its construction. Only the 
finest material is used. The 
construction is intelligently and 
correctly supervised by mechanical 
experts of high standing. It is 
immaterial how large or small 
the gymnasium is, Spalding's 
should be consulted. Blue prints 
and estimates furnished free on 
application. 


U 


rr 


A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Gymnasium Factory: 

CHICOPEE FALLS .... MASS. 















Bird’s-eye View of Seward Park in the Most Congested Section of New York. 

——-OUTDOOR—- 

Playgrounds and Gymnasiums 

T HE outdoor playground and gymnasium movement is rapidly 
spreading, and in many eastern cities it is on a very solid 
footing. A. G. Spalding & Bros, are qualified in every way to 
equip outdoor playgrounds and gymnasiums, being pioneers in the 
movement, and having constructed nearly all the playgrounds that 
have been built in recent years. In the city of New York they built 
the first outdoor gymnasium that was established. They have kept 
pace with the movement from that beginning to the present time, 
nearly all the gymnasiums and playgrounds in New York having been 
equipped by them. The wear and tear on gymnastic apparatus for 
a playground is extraordinary and requires the best material and the 
best workmanship. 

It is particularly noticeable that all 
Spalding's apparatus has stood the test. 

Diagrams, blue prints and further information about the playground 
movement will be furnished free upon application. 


A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

Gymnasium Factory: CH’COPEE FALLS, MASS. 











J>ALt il/yQ 


§roME»AS 


RACKET 


mmmm 

m 


THE SPALDING 

"GOLD MEDAL" RACKET 


ABSOLUTELY PERFECTION 


Enclosed in mackintosh cover. Tag attached to each racket gives 
particulars of special inspection. 

The Spalding Gold Medal Racket, $8.00 
With cane handle, 50 cents extra 
























The Spalding Championship Tennis Rail 

The quality of this ball is absolutely best. It is as near perfect as it 
is possible to turn out a manufactured article, and, as with every¬ 
thing else on which we place our trade-mark, there is a positive guar¬ 
antee of reliability and satisfaction with every one. 

Perfect Inflation. Perfect Covering. Perfect Sewing. 

No. 00. The Spalding Championship Tennis Ball. Per dozen, $i.00 

Spalding’s Tournament Tennis Ball 

Is the equal of any of the so-called championship balls made up by 
others in imitation of our best grade. Uniform in quality and care¬ 
fully constructed throughout. Regulation size and weight; fine felt 
cover. 

No. 0. Per dozen, $3.50 

Spalding’s vantage Tennis Ball 

No. 1 . A good felt covered ball . Per dozen, $3.00 


A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 











THE SPALDINQ PATENT STRIKING BAG 

This bag will swing true because it 
is built that way. It cannot make a 
false move, no matter how hard it is 
hit. No loop to interfere with rope, 
and the most certain in its action of 
any on the market. It is made with 
a lace running around the neck, like 
a draw-string. Inflate the bladder, 
drop the wooden ball into the open¬ 
ing at the top and pull the lace tight; 
then regulate the length of the rope 
and fit bag to your platform. The 
idea has met with such general 
approval that we are now making 
our entire line on the same principle. 

No. 19. Made of highest quality 
Patna kid, the lightest and strong¬ 
est of leather. Sewed with silk, 
double stitched and reinforced 
throughout. Especially suitable 
for exhibition work, and the 
fastest bag made. . Each, $7.00 
No. 18. Made of finest selected Napa tanned leather, extra well 
made; double stitched, welted seams and reinforced throughout. 
For training purposes particularly this bag will be found ex¬ 
tremely satisfactory in every respect. The “Fitzsimmons 
Special.” ..... Each, $5.00 
No. 18S. Same as No. 18 , but smaller in size and lighter. In¬ 
tended for very speedy work. . . Each, $5.00 

Each bag is most carefully inspected and then pached complete in box with 
bladder, lace, wooden ball and rope. 

EXTRA BLADDERS—Guaranteed 

No. OS. Pure gum bladder for Nos. 18 and 19 bags. Each, $1.00 
No. 0SX. Pure gum bladder for No. 18 S bag. . “ 1.00 


A. G. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can. 

London, England 



















THE SPALDING PATENT STRIKING BAG 

No. 20. Made of finest selected 
calfskin, double stitched, welted 
seams and reinforced throughout. 

Very fast and will give excellent 
satisfaction. An ideal bag for 
gymnasium use, . Each, $5.50 
No. 12. Made of olive tanned 
leather, specially selected; double 
stitched, welted seams and rein¬ 
forced throughout. Excellent for 
quick work . . * Each, $4.00 

No. 10. Made of specially tanned 
glove leather; double stitched, 
welted seams and reinforced 
throughout. A substantial bag, 
well made in every particular. 

Each,. $3.00 

No. 17. Made of fine maroon tan¬ 
ned leather, well finished ; double 
stitched, welted seams and re¬ 
inforced throughout. A good all- 
around bag.. . Each, $2 50 
No. 16. Made of extra fine grain 
leather; lined throughout and 
very well made . Each, $2.00 
No. 15. Made of olive tanned leather; welted seams and lined 
throughout. ....... Each, $1.50 

No. 14. Made of light russet tanned leather; lined throughout 
and well put together.Each, $1.00 

EXTRA BLADDERS 

No. OS. Pure gum bladder for No. 20 bag—guaranteed, $1.00 

No. B. Bladders for Nos. 14 and 15 bags. . Each, .50 

No. 25. For Nos. 16 , 17 , 10 and 12 bags. . “ .50 

The Nos. B and 25 bladders are carefully tested before packing, but not otherwise 
guaranteed in any way. 


A. C. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

St. Louis Boston Buffalo Baltimore 

Denver Minneapolis Kansas City Montreal, Can 

London, England 


















A. G. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal,Can. 

London, England 

.— ... ■ 


The Spalding Patent 
Inflated Striking Bag Disks 

Patent Pending 


WALL BRACED 
STYLE 

Equipped with substantial 
wall braces and a very satis¬ 
factory style. 

Complete, without bag. 
No. ER. . Each, $7.50 


Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 








A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 


From 

Champion 

Jeffries 


Send for Spalding’s handsomely illustrated catalogue 
of athletic sports. Mailed free to any address. 


A. G. Spalding & Bros. 


Gentlemen—I wish to thank 
you for the perfect shoes and 
boxing gloves that you fur¬ 
nished me for my fight with 
Mr. Fitzsimmons, and also to 
give you my indorsement for 
the superb quality of these 
goods. I shall expect to use 
them in all my future contests. 

Yours very truly. 












BOXING GLOVES 



Cut illustrates the patent palm lacing and patent palm grip referred 
to in descriptions of following boxing gloves. With these improve¬ 
ments we believe our line is absolutely the finest on the market. 

The patent palm lacing insuring a snug fit at all times is a very valu¬ 
able feature, and the patent pa'm grip we know will be appreciated 
by those who want gloves that are up-to-date in every particular. 

No. 11. Corbett pattern, large 7 oz. glove, gambia tan leather, 
padded with best curled hair, patent palm lacing, padded 
wristband, patent palm grip. Substantially made throughout 
for hard usage. ...... Per set, $4.50 

No 9. Regulation 5 oz. glove, otherwise same as No. 11 . 4.50 
No 13. Corbett pattern, olive tanned leather, well padded with 
hair, patent palm lacing and patent palm grip. Per set, $4.00 
No. 14. Regulation 5 oz. glove, dark wine color, padded wrbt 
band, patent palm lacing and palm grip. . Per set, $3.25 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


A. C. SPALDINC & BROS. 

New York Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Boston Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

St. Louis Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 









A. C. SPALDING Sc BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia 

Baltimore Buffalo 

Minneapolis Denver 

London, England 


New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 


San Francisco 
Kansas City 
Montreal, Can. 


No. 19. Corbett pattern, craven tan leather, well padded with 
hair, patent palm grip and patent palm lacing. Per set, $2.50 
No 21. Corbett pattern, grip and cuffs of olive tanned leather, 
balance of glove finished in dark wine color tanned leather. 
Well padded with hair and patent palm lacing. Per set, $2.00 

Handsomely illustrated catalogue mailed free to any address. 


BOXING GLOVES 


Cut illustrates the patent palm lacing and patent palm grip referred 
to in descriptions of following boxing gloves. With these improve¬ 
ments we believe our line is absolutely the finest on the market. 

The patent palm lacing insuring a snug fit at all times is a very valu¬ 
able feature, and the patent pa m grip we know will be appreciated 
by those who want gloves that are up-to-date in every particular. 

No. 15. Corbett pattern, soft tanned leather, well padded with 
hair, padded wristband, patent palm lacing and patent palm 
grip. Per set, $3.00 

No. 17. Corbett pattern, craven tan leather, well padded with 
hair, patent palm lacing, patent palm grip and padded wrist¬ 
band, .Per set, $3.00 














HOW TO PUNCH 

THE BAG 

BY 

YOUNG CORBETT 

The most complete book on 
bag punching ever written. 
All the various movements 
clearly explained and illus¬ 
trated. The photographs 
were taken especially for 
this book at Young Corbett’s 
training quarters in New 
York, and cannot be seen 
elsewhere. 

Fancy bag punching described 
by W. F. Keller, champion 
fancy bag puncher. 

“ Young Corbett ” PRICE TEN CENTS 


New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 


A. C. SPALDINC Sc BROS. 

Chicago Philadelphia San Francisco 

Baltimore Buffalo Kansas City 

Minneapolis Denver Montreal, Can. 

London, England 













The Spalding Tubular Racing Skate 



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SPALDING’S 

Athletic Library 


Spalding’s Athletic Library is devoted to all athletic 
sports and pastimes, indoor and outdoor, and is the 
recognized American cyclopedia of sports. Each book 
is complete in itself; and those sports that are governed 
by National Associations always designate Spalding’s 
Athletic Library as the official publication. This gives 
to each book the official authority to contain the rules. 
Each year the books are brought up-to-date, with the 
latest rules, new ideas, new pictures, and valuable 
information, thus making the series the most valuable of 
its kind in the world. The price, io cents per copy, 
places them in the reach of all, and no one’s library 
can be complete unless all numbers are found therein. 










LIBRARY 


No. 12. Association Foot Ball. 

Contains valuable information, diagram of play, and rules. Price 
io cents. 


No. 13. How to Play Hand Ball. 

By the world’s champion, Michael Egan, of Jersey 
City. This book has been rewritten and brought up 
to date in every particular. Every move is thoroughly 
explained. The numerous illustrations consist of full 
pages made from photographs of Champion Egan, 
showing him in all his characteristic attitudes when 
playing. These pictures were made exclusively for 
this book and cannot be found in any other publica- 
This is undoubtedly the best work on hand ball ever published, 
io cents. 



No. 14. Curling. 

Rules, regulations and diagrams of play. Price io cents. 


No. 16. How to Become a Skater. 

By Geo. D. Phillips, for years the American cham¬ 
pion. Contains chapter for boys and advice for 
beginners ; how to become a figure skater thoroughly 
explained, with many diagrams showing how to do 
all the different tricks of the best figure skaters, 
including the Mohawk, with all its variations ; Q’s, 
U s forward and backward, inside and outside ; the cross¬ 
cuts, including the difficult Swedish style ; inside and outside spins ; 
the grapevine, with its numerous branches, and many other styles, 
which will be comparatively simple to any one who follows the direc¬ 
tions given. Price io cents. 



No. 23. Canoeing. 

By C. Bowyer Vaux. Paddling, sailing, cruising and racing canoes 
and their uses. Price io cents. 



No. 27. College Athletics. 

M. C. Murphy, the well-known athletic 
trainer, now with Yale University, the author 
of this book, has written it especially for the 
schoolboy and college man, but it is invaluable 
for the athlete who wishes to excel in any branch 
of athletic sport. Price io cents. 


IOI 






§) ATHLETIC 



LIBRARY m 



No. 29. Exercising With Pulley Weights. 

By Dr. Henry S. Anderson. In conjunction 
with a chest machine anyone with this book can 
become perfectly developed. Contains all the 
various movements necessary to become proficient 
and of well-developed physique. Thoroughly 
explained and illustrated with numerous drawings. 
Price io cents. 


ol?' ■ 



No. 39. Lawn Bowls. 

The ancient game, which has achieved 
considerable popularity in America, is fully 
described by Henry Chadwick. Contains 
an account of the introduction of the game 
in America and the official rules as promul¬ 
gated by the Scottish Bowling Association. 

Price io cents. 

No. 40. Archery. 

By J. S. Mitchel. An introductory chapter on 
the use of the bow and arrow ; archery of the 
present day ; the bow and how to use it, with 
practical illustrations on the right and wrong 
method of aiming. Price io cents. 


No. 55. Official Sporting Rules. 

Contains rules for the government of many sports not found in 
other publications; wrestling, cross-country running, shuffleboard, 
skating, snowshoeing, quoits, potato racing, professional racing, 
racquets, pigeon flying, dog racing, pistol and revolver shooting. 
Price io cents. 

No. 66. Technical Terms of Base 
Ball. 

Compiled by Henry Chadwick, the 
“Father of Base Ball.” It is one of 
the most useful and instructive works 
ever issued by the veteran writer. It is 
valuable not only to the novice but also 
to the expert. Price io cents. 




No. 87. The Athletic Primer. 

Edited by J. E. Sullivan, Secretary-Treasurer 
of the Amateur Athletic Union ; tells how to or¬ 
ganize an athletic club, how to conduct an athletic 
meeting, and gives rules for the government of 
athletic meetings ; contents also include a very 
instructive article on training ; fully illustrated. 
Price io cents. 


102 















jp ATHLETIC LIBRARY 


No. 102. Ground Tumbling. 

By Prof. Henry Walter Worth, who was for years physical director 
of the Armour Institute of Technology. Any boy, by reading this 
book and following the instructions, which are drawn from life, can 
become a proficient tumbler. Price io cents. 


No. 104. The Grading of Gymnastic Exercises. 

By G. M. Martin, Physical Director of the Y. M. C. A. of Youngs¬ 
town, Ohio. It is a book that should be in the hands of every 
physical director of the Y. M. C. A , school, club, college, etc. It 
is the official standard publication and should be used by them. 
Price io cents. 



No. 124. How to Become a Gymnast. 

By Robert Stoll, of the New York A. C., the 
American champion on the flying rings from 1885 
to 1892 . Any boy who frequents a gymnasium 
or who has a horizontal bar or parallel bars at his 
command, can easily follow the illustrations and 
instructions in this book and with a little practice 
become proficient. Price 10 cents. 


No. 126. Ice Hockey and Ice Polo. 

Written by the most famous player in Canada, 
A. Farrell, of the Shamrock hockey team of Mon¬ 
treal. It is well worth perusal by any player of 
the game. It contains a complete description of 
the game of hockey, its origin, points of a good 
player, and a complete and instructive article on 
how the game is played, with diagrams and the 
official rules. Illustrated with pictures of leading teams. Price 10 
cents. 



No. 128. How to Row. 



By E. J. Giannini, of the New York A. C., and one 
of America’s most famous amateuf oarsmen and cham¬ 
pions. This book will instruct anyone who is a lover 
of rowing how to become an expert It is fully illus¬ 
trated, showing how to hold the oars, the finish of the 
stroke and other information that will prove valuable to 


the beginner. Price 10 cents. 



No. 129. Water Polo. 

zr.4 J 5 y Gus Sundstrom, instructor at the New York A. C. 
3^ It treats of every detail, the individual work of the play- 
ers, the practice of the team, how to throw the ball, with 
many illustrations and valuable hints. Price 10 cents. 

103 









Mr) ATHLETIC 



LIBRARY (m 



No. 135. Official Handbook of the A.A.U. of the United States. 



encyclopaedia in itself. 


The A. A. U. is the governing body of ath¬ 
letes in the United States of America, and all 
games must be held under its rules, which are 
exclusively published in this handbook, and a 
copy should be in the hands of every athlete 
and every club officer in America. This book 
contains the official rules for running, jump¬ 
ing, weight throwing, hurdling, pole vaulting, 
swimming, boxing, wrestling, etc., and is an 
Price io cents. 


No. 136. Official Y. M. C. A. Handbook. 



Edited by G. T. Hepbron, the well-known athletic 
authority. It contains the official rules governing all 
sports under the jurisdiction of the Y. M. C. A , a 
complete report of the physical directors’ conference, 
official Y. M. C. A. scoring tables, pentathlon rules, 
many pictures of the leading Y. M. C. A. athletes of 
the country, and official Y. M. C. A. athletic rules. 
Price io cents. 


No. 138. Official Croquet Guide. 

Contains the official rules of the game, directions for playing and 
diagrams of important strokes. Price io cents. 

No. 140. Wrestling. 

Catch as catch can style. By E. H. Hitchcock, M. D , and R. F. 
Nelligan, of Amherst College. The book contains illustrations of 
the different holds, photographed especially so that anybody who de¬ 
sires to become expert in wrestling can with little effort learn every 
one. Price io cents. 

No. 142. Physical Training Simplified. 

By Prof E. B. Warman, the well-known physical culture expert, is 
a complete, thorough and practical book where the whole man is 
considered—brain and body. By following the instructions no appa¬ 
ratus is required to make the perfect body. The book is adapted for 
both sexes. Fully illustrated. Price io cents. 



No. 143. Indian Clubs and Dumb-Bells. 

Two of the most popular forms of home or gym¬ 
nasium exercise. This book is written by America’s 
amateur champion club swinger, J. H. Dougherty. 
It is clearly illustrated, by which any novice can be¬ 
come an expert. Price io cents. 


104 





LIBRARY 



No. 149. The Care of the Body. 

A book that all who value health should read and follow its instruc¬ 
tions. By Prof. E. B. Warman. Price io cents. 


No. 152. Table Tennis. 

The contents include the official rules and illustrations of the 
various strokes, posed by experts. Price io cents. 


No. 154. Field Hockey. 

To those in need of vigorous and health¬ 
ful out-of-doors exercise, this game is 
recommended highly. Its healthful attri¬ 
butes are manifold and the interest of 
player and spectator alike is kept active 
throughout the progress of the game. 
Can be played by either sex and occupies a 
prominent place in the sports at Vassar, Smith, Wellesley, Bryn 
Mawr and other leading colleges. Price io cents. 



No. 156. The Athlete’s Guide. 

How to become an athlete. It contains full in¬ 
structions for the beginner, telling how to sprint, 
hurdle, jump and throw weights, general hints on 
training; in fact, this book is one of the most com- 
' plete on the subject that has ever appeared. Special 
chapters contain valuable advice to beginners, and 
important A. A. U. rules and their explanations, 
while the pictures comprise many exclusive scenes 
showing champions in action. Price io cents. 




No. 157. How to Play Lawn Tennis. 

A complete description of lawn tennis is 
found in this book; a history of the game; 
a lesson for beginners and directions telling 
how to make every important stroke; how 
to lay out a tennis court; illustrated from 
photographs of leading players in action. 
Price io cents. 


No. 158. Indoor and Outdoor Gymnastic Games. 

Without question one of the best bocks of its kind ever published. 
Compiled by Prof. A. M. Chesley, the well-known Y. M. C. A. phy¬ 
sical director. It is a book that will prove valuable to indoor and 
outdoor gymnasiums, schools, outings and gatherings where there are 
a number to be amused. The book contains over ioo games. Price 
io cents. 


105 








LIBRARY 



No. 161. Ten Minutes’ Exercise for Busy Men. 

By Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick, superintendent of phy¬ 
sical training in the New York public schools. Anyone 
who is looking for a concise and complete course of 
physical education at home would do well to procure a 
copy of this book. There will be no necessity for any¬ 
one to apply for advice in order to become healthy and 
athletic. Ten minutes’ work as directed is exercise any¬ 
one can follow. It already has had a large sale and has 
been highly commended by all who have followed its instructions. 
Price io cents. 

No. 162. How to Become a Boxer. 



For many years books have been issued on tha 
art of boxing, but it has remained for us to ar¬ 
range a book that we think is sure to fill all de¬ 
mands. It contains over 70 pages of illustrations 
showing all the latest blows, posed especially for 
this book under the supervision of one of the best 
instructors of boxing in the United States, who 
makes a specialty of teaching and who knows how 
to impart his knowledge. They are so arranged that any two boys 
can easily become proficient boxers. The book also contains photo¬ 
graphs of all the leading American boxers, and official rules. No 
boy should neglect to possess this book. Price 10 cents. 




No. 165. The Art of Fencing. 

Full instructions are given, with illustra¬ 
tions, for becoming proficient with the foils. 
Any boy can learn to become expert by 
carefully studying this book. Price 10 
cents. 



No. 166. How to Swing Indian Clubs. 

By Prof. E. B. Warman, the well-known exponent of 
physical culture. The most complete work on this 
special subject ever issued. By following the diagrams 
carefully anyone can become an expert club swinger in a 
short time, as the diagrams are very plainly and intelli¬ 
gently drawn. Price 10 cents. 



No. 167. Quoits. 

By M. W. Deshong. The need of a book 
on this interesting game has been felt by many 
who wished to know the fine points and tricks 
used by the experts. Mr. Deshong explains 
them, with illustrations, so that a novice can 
readily understand. Price 10 cents. 

(06 








m ATHLETICS® LIBRARY 






No. 170. Push Ball. 

Played with an air-inflated ball 6 feet in 
diameter, weighing about 50 pounds. A side 
consists of eleven men. The game has met 
with instant favor, and now no school or 
athletic club is complete without one. Price 
10 cents. 



No. 171. Basket Ball for Women. 

Edited by Miss Senda Berenson, of Smith 
College. Contains valuable information, spe¬ 
cial articles, official rules, and photos of teams 
of leading women’s colleges and high schools. 
Price 10 cents. 


No. 173. How to Play Base Bal!. 


Edited by T. H. Murnane. The editor has obtained 
from such well-known players as Lajoie, Kittridge, 
Clarke, Cy Young, Willis, Callahan, Doyle, and other 
equally prominent players, special articles telling just 
how they play their respective positions. Over 50 
full-page pictures of prominent players in action are 
shown, and accurate photographs showing how to hold the fingers for 
the various curves and diops. Price 10 cents. 




No. 174. Distance and Cross Country Running. 

By George Orton, the famous University of Penn¬ 
sylvania runner. Tells how to become proficient 
in these specialties, gives instructions for train¬ 
ing, and is illustrated with many full-page pictures. 
Price 10 cents. 


No. 176. Official Intercollegiate A.A. Handbook. 



Contains official rules that govern intercollegiate 
events and all intercollegiate records records from 1876. 
Any boy who expects to go to college and try for the 
athletic team should be familar with these records. 
Price 10 cents. 


No. 177. How to Swim. 



By J. H. Sterrett, the leading authority on swim¬ 
ming in America. The instructions will interest the 
expert as well as the novice; the illustrations were 
made from photographs especially posed, showing 
the swimmer in clear water; a valuable feature is the 
series of “land drill” exercises for the beginner, 
which is illustrated by numerous drawings. Price 
10 cents. 


107 











No. 178. How to Train for Bicycling. 

Gives methods of the best riders when train¬ 
ing for long or short distance races; hints on 
training. Revised and up-to-date in every particu¬ 
lar. Price io cents. 


r\o. 179 . How to Play Golf. 

No golfer should miss having a copy 
of this golf guide. The photographic 
interview with James Braid, open cham¬ 
pion of England, is well worth perusal. 
Harry Vardon tells how to play the 
game, with lifelike illustrations show¬ 
ing the different strokes. The book 
also contains the revised official rules, 
as well as pictures of many important players, and a directory giving 
name, address, membership, dues and length of course of golf clubs 
in the United States. Price io cents. 



No. 180. Ring Hockey. 

A new game for the gymnasium, invented by Dr. J. M. Vorliees of 
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, that has sprung into instant popularity ; as 
as exciting as basket ball. Price io cents. 

No. 181. Spalding’s Official Foot Ball Guide. 

Edited by Walter Camp. Contains the new 
rules as recommended by the Rules Committee, 
with diagram of field as newly arranged ; special 
chapters on the game, Foot Ball for the Spectator, 
All-America Teams, Middle West Foot Ball, Foot 
Ball West of Mississippi River, Southern Foot 
Ball. Southwestern Foot Ball, Canadian Foot Ball, 
records of teams, details of principal changes in rules, and pictures of 
all the prominent teams, embracing nearly 3,000 players. Price 10 cents. 



No. 182. All Around Athletics. 



Gives in full the method of scoring the All-Around 
Championships, giving percentage tables showing what 
each man receives for each performance in each of the 
ten events. It contains as well instructive articles on 
how to train for the All-Around Championship. Illus¬ 
trated with many pictures of champions in action and 
scenes at all-around meets. Price 10 cents. 


108 






ATHLETIC 



LIBRARY 



No. 183. How to Play Foot Ball. 

By Walter Camp. The contents embrace 
everything that a beginner wants to know 
and many points that an expert will be glad 
to learn. Quarterback is described by 
deSaulles, the famous Yale player; how to 
give signals is explained by Rockwell and 
Hogan of the Yale team, who show with 
many diagrams how the big teams make 
their sensational plays ; Lewis, the well-known Harvard player, gives 
instructions in the methods of defence, and William T. Reid, the 
former Harvard fullback, tells of the duties of the backs. The pic¬ 
tures are made from snapshots of the Yale, Harvard and Princeton 
teams in action. Price io cents. 




No. 184. Official Basket Ball Guide. 

Edited by George T. Hepbron. Contains the 
revised official rules for 1904, decisions on dis¬ 
puted points, records of prominent teams, reports 
on the game from various parts of the country, 
and pictures of hundreds of players. The stand¬ 
ard basket ball annual of the country. Price 10 
cents. 


No. 185. Health Hints. 


Health influenced by insulation ; health influenced by underwear ; 
health influenced by color; exercise, who needs it? A series of 
articles by Prof. E. B. Warman, the well known lecturer and authority 
on physical culture. Price 10 cents. 



No. 186. How to Become a Bowler. 

By S. Karpf, Secretary of the American Bowling 
Congress, and one of the best posted men on bowling 
in America* A complete history of bowling, how to 
make an alley, hints for women bowlers, official 
rules ; illustrated. Price 10 cents. 


No. 187. How to Play Roller Polo. 

Edited by J. C. Morse. A full description of the game ; official 
rules ; pictures of teams ; other articles of interest. Price 10 cents. 

No. 188. Lawn Hockey, Tether Tennis, Golf Croquet, Volley 


Ball, Hand Tennis, Etc. 

Containing the rules for each game. Illustrated. Price 10 cents. 

No. 189. Rules for Games. 


Compiled by Jessie H. Bancroft, director of physical training, de¬ 
partment of education, New York City, Borough of Brooklyn. Ar. 
ranged especially for school use and adapted to large classes as well 
as a few. Price 10 cents. 








ATHLETIC 



LIBRARY m 



No. 190. Official Athletic Almanac. 

Compiled by J. E. Sullivan, Secretary-Treasurer 
of the Amateur Athletic Union. It is the only 
annual publication issued now that contains a 
complete list of amateur best-on-records ; com¬ 
plete intercollegiate records ; complete English 
records from 1866 ; swimming records ; inter¬ 
scholastic records ; Irish, Scotch and Australasian 
records ; reports of leading athletic meets in 1903; 
skating records ; important athletic events in 1903, 
and numerous photos of individual athletes and leading athletic 
teams. Price 10 cents. 

No. 191. How to Punch the Bag. 



By W. II. Rothwell (“Young Corbett”), champion 
featherweight of the world. This book is undoubtedly 
the best treatise on bag punching that has ever been 
printed. Every variety of blow used in training is 
shown and explained. The pictures comprise thirty- 
three full page reproductions of Young Corbett as he 
appears while at work in his training quarters. The 
photographs were taken by our special artist and 
cannot be seen in any other publication than Spalding’s Athletic 
Library No. igr. Fancy bag punching is treated by W. F. Keller, a 
well known theatrical bag puncher, who shows the latest tricks in 
fancy work. For those who wish to become expert bag punchers 
this book is invaluable. Price 10 cents. 





¥/ 



No. 192. Indoor Base Ball. 



America’s national game is now vieing with 
other indoor games as a winter pastime. This 
book contains the playing rules, pictures of 
leading teams, and interesting articles on the 
game. M. S. Walker, of the West Division 
H. S . Chicago, contributes an article on the 
benefits of the game for women. Price 10 
cents. 


No. 193. How to Play Basket Ball. 



Guide for want of 


By G. T. Hepbron, editor of the Official Basket 
Ball Guide. Contains full instructions for play¬ 
ers, both for the expert and the novice, duties of 
officials, and specially posed full page pictures 
showing the correct and incorrect methods of 
playing. The demand for a book of this charac¬ 
ter is fully satisfied in this publication, as many 
points are included which could not be incorpor¬ 
ated in the annual publication of the Basket Ball 
room. Price 10 cents. 


1 in 






No. 194. Racquets, Squash-Racquets and Court Tennis. 



The need of an authoritative handbook 
at a popular price on these games is filled 
by this book. How to play each game is 
thoroughly explained, and all the difficult 
strokes shown by special photographs 
taken especially for this book. Contains 
also the official rules. Price io cents. 



No. 195. Official Roque Guide. 

The official publication of the National Roque 
Association of America. Edited by Prof. Charles 
Jacobus, ex-champion. Contains a description of the 
courts and their construction, diagrams of the field, 
illustrations, rules and valuable information concern¬ 
ing the game of roque. Price io cents. 


No. 196. Official Base Ball 



of the country. 


Guide. 

Edited by Henry Chadwick, the 
“ Father of Base Ball,” the official 
publication of base ball. It contains 
a complete record of all leagues in 
America, pictures of the champion 
O'"..' teams, official rules and reviews of 
the game ; interesting information. 
It is the standard base ball annual 
Price io cents. 



No. 197. Spalding’s Lawn Tennis Annual 

Contains official statistics, photographs 
of leading players, special articles on the 
game, review of important tournaments, 
official rules, handicapping rules and tables; 
list of fixtures for the current year and 
other valuable information. Price io cents. 


No. 198. Spalding's Official Cricket Guide. 



Edited by Jerome Flannery, formerly 
proprietor of Flannery’s American Cricket 
Annual. Spalding’s will be the most com¬ 
plete year book of -the game that has ever 
been published in America It will contain 
all the records of the previous year, reports 
of special matches, official rules and pic¬ 
tures of all the leading teams and individual 
players. Price io cents. 


I I I 










APR 11 1*04 

iH ATHLETIC 



LIBRARY 




No. 199. Equestrian Polo Guide. 

Compiled by H. L. Fitzpatrick of the New 
York Sun Illustrated with portraits of leading 
players and contains much useful information for 
polo players in relation to playing the game, 
choosing of equipment, mounts, and the official 
rules. Price io cents. 


No. 200. Dumb-bells. 

This is undoubtedly the best work on dumb¬ 
bells that has ever been offered. The author, 
Mr. G. Bojus, of New York City, was for¬ 
merly superintendent of physical culture in 
the Elizabeth (N. J.)public schools, instructor 
at Columbia University, and instructor for 
four years at the Columbia summer school, 
and is now with the Dr. Savage Normal In¬ 
stitute of Physical Training in New York City. 
The book contains 260 photographs of all the 
various exercises, posed under the direct supervision of Mr. Bojus, 
with the instructions on the opposite page in large, readable type. 
It should be in the hands of every teacher and pupil of physical cul¬ 
ture in the country, and is written and illustrated so clearly that 
makes it invaluable for home exercise as well. Price io cents. 



No. 201. Lacrosse—From Candidate to Team. 



By William C. Schmeisser, captain Johns Hop¬ 
kins University champion intercollegiate lacrosse 
team of 1902 ; edited by Ronald T. Abercrombie, 
ex-captain and coach of Johns Hopkins Univer¬ 
sity lacrosse team, 1900-1904. Every position is 
thoroughly explained in a most simple and concise 
manner, rendering it the best manual of the game 
ever published. Illustrated. Price io cents. 


New issues of Spalding’s Athletic Library are constantly being published— 
some being revised and up-to-date numbers of the annual publications, others 
being entirely new books on subjects not touched upon by any other publication. 
Write for latest list of books. 

The publishers of Spalding’s Athletic Library will be glad to answer inquiries 
on disputed points of play in athletic games, or will give any information desired— 
where possible—in regard to laying out grounds, equipping gymnasiums, etc. 
Address Spalding’s Athletic Library, P. O. Box 611, New York. 

I 12 









Spalding's 
Home Library 

Devoted to Games and Amusements 
for the Home Circle. 


1 

Chess 

16 

Piquet 

2 

Whist 

17 

Go-Bang 

3 

Dominoes and Dice 18 

Games of Patience 

4 

Poker 

19 

Children's Games 

.5 

Backgammon 

20 

Cribbage 

6 

Euchre 

21 

Drawing Room Games 

7 

Billiards 

22 

Group of Card Games 

8 

Ecarte 

23 

Children's Games 

9 

Checkers 

24 

Group of Card Games 

10 

Bezique 

25 

Drawing Room Games 

11 

Pool 

26 

Group of Card Games 

12 

Pinochle 

27 

Children's Games 

13 

Lotto 

28 

Skat 

14 

Hearts 

29 

Drawing Room Games 

15 

Reversi 

30 

Baccarat 


PRICE TEN CENTS PER COPY 


A. G. SPALDING & BROS. 


New York 
Boston 
St. Louis 


Chicago Philadelphia 

Baltimore Buffalo 

Minneapolis Denver 
London, England 


San Francisco 
Kansas City 
Montreal, Can. 




London, England * S£ 









This is a fac-simile of the grand prize awarded to A. G. Spalding & Bros, for the % 
i finest and most complete line of athletic goods exhibited at the Universal Expo- { 
sition, Paris, 1900. We have brought this medal to America in competition v ith i 
the leading makers of the world. It is the highest award given for any exhibit \ 
and is exclusively granted for the best goods in that particular class. •* ( 



Spalding’s Athletic Goods were used exclusively in all the athletic events in the 
Stadium of the Pan-American Exposition in 1901. Spalding s Athletic Goods are 
standard of quality and officially recognized as such by the leading governing 

bodies. 


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5 

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5 The Spalding Official League Base Ball, Intercollegiate Foot Ball, 
B Ja’ 05 Gaelic Foot Associ * tion Foot Ball, Basket Ball, Indoor Base 
Ball, Polo Ball, Boxing Gloves, Athletic Implements. 






















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